As filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on December 22, 2023

Registration No. 333-            

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

 

FORM F-1
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

LZ Technology Holdings Limited

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Not Applicable

(Translation of Registrant’s Name into English)

 

Cayman Islands   7371   Not Applicable
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

 

 

 

Unit 311, Floor 3, No. 5999 Wuxing Avenue, Zhili Town, Wuxing District

Huzhou City, Zhejiang province, People’s Republic of China 313000

+86 18605929066

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of Registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

 

 

Cogency Global Inc.

122 East 42nd Street, 18th Floor

New York, NY 10168

(800) 221-0102

(Names, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

 

 

Copies to:

 

Kevin (Qixiang) Sun, Esq.

Bevilacqua PLLC

1050 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 500

Washington, DC 20036

(202) 869-0888

 

Ying Li, Esq.

Guillaume de Sampigny, Esq.

Hunter Taubman Fischer & Li LLC

950 Third Avenue, 19th Floor

New York, NY 10022

(212) 530-2206

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to public: As soon as practicable after this Registration Statement becomes effective.

 

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box. ☐

 

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐

 

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐

 

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement the same offering. ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933.

 

Emerging growth company ☒

 

If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the Registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards† provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐

 

The term “new or revised financial accounting standard” refers to any update issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to its Accounting Standards Codification after April 5, 2012.

 

The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

 

 

 

The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. These securities may not be sold until the registration statement filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This preliminary prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting offers to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED DECEMBER 22, 2023

 

 

 

LZ Technology Holdings Limited

 

[   ] Class B Ordinary Shares

 

This is the initial public offering, on a firm commitment basis, of [__] Class B ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Class B Ordinary Shares”) of LZ Technology Holdings Limited, a Cayman Islands exempted company with substantially all of its operations in China, through its subsidiary, Lianzhang Portal Network Technology Co., Ltd., a company incorporated on September 10, 2014 in China. Throughout this prospectus, unless the context indicates otherwise, references to “LZ Technology” refer to LZ Technology Holdings Limited, the Cayman Islands holding company, and references to “we,” the “Company” or “our company” are to the combined business of LZ Technology and its consolidated subsidiaries.

 

We anticipate that the initial public offering price per Class B Ordinary Share will be between $[   ] and $[    ].

 

Our issued and outstanding share capital consists of Class A ordinary shares, par value 0.0001 per share (the “Class A Ordinary Shares”), and Class B Ordinary Shares. Class A Ordinary Shares are entitled to ten (10) votes per share. Class B Ordinary Shares are entitled to one (1) vote per share. Pursuant to the Company’s current memorandum and articles of association, Class A Ordinary Shares are not convertible into Class B Ordinary Shares at any time. The post offering memorandum and articles of association that will become effective and replace the current memorandum and articles of association upon the effectiveness of this registration statement, will make Class A Ordinary Shares convertible at the option of the holder into Class B Ordinary Shares on a 1:1 basis. Class A Ordinary Shares and Class B Ordinary Shares, collectively, are referred to as “Ordinary Shares” in this prospectus.

 

Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for either our Class A Ordinary Shares or Class B Ordinary Shares. We have applied for listing the Class B Ordinary Shares on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “LZMH.” We believe that upon the completion of this offering, we will meet the standards for listing the Class B Ordinary Shares on the Nasdaq Capital Market. We cannot guarantee that we will be successful in listing the Class B Ordinary Shares on the Nasdaq Capital Market; however, we will not complete this offering unless the Class B Ordinary Shares are so listed.

 

We are an “emerging growth company” and a “foreign private issuer” as defined under the U.S. federal securities laws, and, as such, are eligible for reduced public company reporting requirements for this and future filings. As of the date of this prospectus, our founder and Chairman, Mr. Andong Zhang, the beneficial owner of all of our outstanding Class A Ordinary Shares and 26,807,883 Class B Ordinary Shares, held approximately 81.70% of the voting power of our outstanding share capital. Following this offering, taking into consideration the Class B Ordinary Shares expected to be offered hereby, Mr. Andong Zhang will retain controlling voting power in the Company based on having approximately [ ]% (or approximately [ ]% if the underwriters exercise the over-allotment option in full) of all voting rights and we will meet the definition of a “controlled company” under the corporate governance standards for Nasdaq listed companies. As a “controlled company,” we will be eligible to utilize certain exemptions from the corporate governance requirements of the Nasdaq Stock Market although we do not intend to avail ourselves of these exemptions. See “Prospectus Summary—Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company,” “Prospectus Summary—Implications of Being a Foreign Private Issuerand “Prospectus Summary—Implications of Being a Controlled Company.”

 

 

 

INVESTORS PURCHASING SECURITIES IN THIS OFFERING ARE PURCHASING SECURITIES OF LZ Technology, A CAYMAN ISLANDS HOLDING COMPANY, RATHER THAN SECURITIES OF LZ Technology’s SUBSIDIARIES THAT CONDUCT SUBSTANTIVE BUSINESS OPERATIONS IN CHINA. This structure involves unique risks to investors aND investors may never hold equity interests in the Chinese operating companies. Chinese regulatory authorities could disallow this structure, which would likely result in a material change in OUR operations and/or a material change in the value of the securities WE are registering for sale, including that it could cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or become worthless. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China” beginning on page 20. LZ Technology is not a Chinese operating company but rather a holding company incorporated in the Cayman Islands. Because LZ Technology has no material operations of its own, we conduct all of our operations through the operating entities established in China, or the PRC, primarily Lianzhang Portal Network Technology Co., Ltd. (“Lianzhang Portal”), LZ Technology’s 93.70% owned indirect subsidiary and Lianzhang Portal’s subsidiaries. All of our subsidiaries are controlled by LZ Technology through direct or indirect equity ownership and we do not have a variable interest entities (“VIE”) structure. For a description of our corporate structure, see “Our Corporate History and Structure” beginning on page 8.

 

You are specifically cautioned that there are significant legal and operational risks associated with having substantially all of our operations in China, including risks related to the legal, political and economic policies of the Chinese government, the relations between China and the United States, and applicable PRC and United States regulations, which risks could result in a material change in our operations and/or cause the value of the Class B Ordinary Shares to significantly decline or become worthless and affect LZ Technology’s ability to offer or continue to offer its securities to investors. Moreover, the Chinese government may exercise significant oversight and discretion over the conduct of our business and may intervene in or influence our PRC subsidiaries’ operations at any time. Recent statements by the Chinese government indicate an intent to exert more oversight and more control over offerings conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in China-based issuers, including without limitation, the cybersecurity review and regulatory review requirements for overseas listing by Chinese companies, whether or not through an offshore holding company. The PRC government also initiated a series of actions and statements to regulate business operations in China, including cracking down on illegal activities in the securities market, enhancing supervision over China-based companies listed overseas, adopting new measures to extend the scope of cybersecurity reviews, and expanding efforts in anti-monopoly enforcement.

 

On February 17, 2023, the China Securities Regulatory Commission (“CSRC”) promulgated the Trial Administrative Measures of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies (the “Trial Measures”) and five supporting guidelines (collectively, the “Overseas Listing Rules”), which came into effect on March 31, 2023. We are required to make a filing with the CSRC for this offering under the Trial Measures. We submitted the required filing materials to the CSRC on August 29, 2023, received comments from the CSRC on September 25, 2023 and submitted responses to such comments on October 28, 2023. Thus, our CSRC filing is still under the CSRC’s review, and we have not obtained the final confirmation from the CSRC regarding the completion of the filing process. We will not complete this offering until we have completed our filing with the CSRC. Notwithstanding the foregoing, as of the date of this prospectus, according to our PRC counsel, no other relevant PRC laws or regulations in effect require that we obtain permission from any PRC authorities to issue securities to foreign investors, and we have not received any inquiry, notice, warning, sanction, or any regulatory objection to this offering from the CSRC, the CAC, or any other PRC authorities that have jurisdiction over our operations. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China” beginning on page 20 of this prospectus for a discussion of these legal and operational risks that should be considered before making a decision to purchase the Class B Ordinary Shares.

 

Furthermore, as more stringent standards have been imposed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (the “PCAOB”) recently, LZ Technology’s securities may be prohibited from trading if our auditor cannot be fully inspected. Pursuant to the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act (the “HFCA Act”) enacted in 2020, if the auditor of a U.S. listed company’s financial statements is not subject to PCAOB inspections for three consecutive “non-inspection” years, the SEC is required to prohibit the securities of such issuer from being traded on a U.S. national securities exchange, such as NYSE and Nasdaq, or in U.S. over-the-counter markets. On December 23, 2022, the U.S. Senate passed the Accelerating Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, and on December 29, 2022, legislation entitled “Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023” (the “Consolidated Appropriations Act”) was signed into law, which contained, among other things, an identical provision to the Accelerating Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act and amended the HFCA Act by requiring the SEC to prohibit an issuer’s securities from trading on any U.S. stock exchanges if its auditor is not subject to PCAOB inspections for two consecutive years instead of three, thus reducing the time period for triggering the prohibition on trading. On December 16, 2021, the PCAOB issued its determination that the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate completely PCAOB-registered public accounting firms headquartered in China, because of positions taken by authorities in the jurisdiction, and the PCAOB included in the report of its determination a list of the accounting firms that are headquartered in China. This list does not include our auditor, Marcum Asia CPAs LLP. On August 26, 2022, the CSRC, the Ministry of Finance of the PRC (the “MOF”), and the PCAOB signed a Statement of Protocol (the “Protocol”) governing inspections and investigations of accounting firms based in mainland China and Hong Kong, taking the first step toward opening access for the PCAOB to inspect and investigate registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong. Pursuant to the fact sheet with respect to the Protocol disclosed by the SEC, the PCAOB shall have independent discretion to select any issuer audits for inspection or investigation and has the unfettered ability to transfer information to the SEC. On December 15, 2022, the PCAOB made a statement announcing that it was able, in 2022, to inspect and investigate completely issuer audit engagements of PCAOB-registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong. However, uncertainties still exist as to whether the PCAOB will have continued access for complete inspections and investigations in 2023 and beyond. The PCAOB has indicated that it will act immediately to consider the need to issue new determinations with the HFCA Act if needed.

 

 

 

While our auditor is based in the U.S. and is registered with PCAOB and subject to PCAOB inspection, in the event it is later determined that the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate completely our auditor because of a position taken by an authority in a jurisdiction outside the United States, then such lack of inspection could cause our securities to be delisted from the stock exchange. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—The recent joint statement by the SEC, proposed rule changes submitted by Nasdaq, and acts passed by the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives, all call for additional and more stringent criteria to be applied to U.S.-listed companies with significant operations in China. These developments could add uncertainties to our listing, future offerings, business operations, share price and reputation” on page 23. We cannot assure you that Nasdaq or regulatory agencies will not apply additional or more stringent requirements to us. Such uncertainty could cause the market price of the Class B Ordinary Shares to be materially and adversely affected.

 

Cash may be transferred among LZ Technology and its subsidiaries in the following manners: (1) funds may be transferred to Lianzhang Menhu (Zhejiang) Holding Co., Ltd., a wholly foreign-owned enterprise (the “WFOE” or “LZ Menhu”) from LZ Technology as needed through our subsidiaries in the BVI and/or Hong Kong in the form of capital contribution or shareholder loan, as the case may be; (2) dividends or other distributions may be paid by the WFOE to LZ Technology through our subsidiaries in Hong Kong and the BVI; and (4) our PRC subsidiaries may lend to and borrow from each other from time to time for business operation purposes. LZ Technology, our subsidiaries in BVI and Hong Kong are permitted under PRC laws and regulations to provide funding to our subsidiaries in the form of loans or capital contributions, provided that the applicable governmental registration and approval requirements are satisfied. In the future, cash proceeds raised from financings conducted outside of China, including this offering, may be transferred by LZ Technology to our PRC subsidiaries via capital contribution or shareholder loans, as the case may be. As a holding company, LZ Technology may rely on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by our PRC operating subsidiaries for its cash and financing requirements. Current PRC regulations permit PRC companies to distribute dividends only out of their accumulated profits, and additionally, PRC companies are required to set aside at least 10% of its after-tax profits each year, if any, to fund a statutory reserve until such reserve reaches 50% of the company’s registered capital. Funds under such reserve is not distributable as cash dividends. The articles of association of each of our PRC subsidiaries contain provisions that incorporate the foregoing legal restrictions on distribution of dividends under PRC regulations. In addition, if any of our PRC subsidiaries incurs debt on its own behalf in the future, the instruments governing such debt may restrict their ability to pay dividends. None of our subsidiaries has made any dividends or other distributions to LZ Technology as of the date of this prospectus. As of the date of this prospectus, neither LZ Technology nor its subsidiaries have made any dividend or distribution to U.S. investors.  LZ Technology and its subsidiaries currently do not have plans to distribute earnings in the foreseeable future. See “Prospectus Summary—Transfer of Cash Through Our Organization” beginning on page 12, “Dividend Policy” on page 50 and the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying footnotes beginning on page F-1 of this prospectus.

 

As of the date of this prospectus, no cash flows or transfers of other assets have occurred between LZ Technology, our Cayman Islands holding company, and its subsidiaries. However, funds are sometimes transferred among our PRC subsidiaries for working capital purposes. As advised by our PRC counsel, Hylands Law Firm, the PRC regulations allow affiliated companies to provide each other operating funds through loans, provided that such loans should have a clear term and the interest rate does not exceed the legal maximum limits stipulated by relevant laws or regulations. Currently, other than complying with the applicable PRC laws and regulations, we do not have our own cash management policy and procedures that dictate how funds are transferred. See “Prospectus Summary—Transfer of Cash Through Our Organization” beginning on page 12. While there are currently no restrictions on foreign exchange and our ability to transfer cash or assets among LZ Technology, the BVI Subsidiary and the HK Subsidiary, if relevant PRC regulations change, such funds or assets may not be available due to interventions in or the imposition of restrictions by the PRC government on the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to transfer funds or assets to LZ Technology, directly or through HK and/or BVI Subsidiaries, which may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—Currency conversion policies may limit the Company’s ability to utilize the Company’s revenues effectively and affect the value of your investment” on page 25.

 

   Per Class B Ordinary
Share
   Total Without
Over-Allotment
Option
   Total With
Over-Allotment
Option
 
Initial public offering price  $              $                                       
Underwriting discounts(1)  $   $      
Proceeds to us, before expenses  $   $     

 

(1)Represents underwriting discounts equal to 7% per Class B Ordinary Share, which does not include the non-accountable expense allowance, payable to the underwriters, or the reimbursement of certain expenses of the underwriter. See “Underwriting” beginning on page 140 of this prospectus for additional information regarding total underwriting compensation.

 

 

 

We have granted the underwriter an option, exercisable for 45 days from the date of the closing of this offering, to purchase up to an additional [   ] Class B Ordinary Shares on the same terms as the other Class B Ordinary Shares being purchased by the underwriter from us. For additional information regarding our arrangement with the underwriter, please see “Underwriting” beginning on page 140.

 

Neither the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

The underwriter expects to deliver the Class B Ordinary Shares to purchasers in this offering on or about [    ], 2024.

 

EF HUTTON LLC

 

The date of this prospectus is [     ], 2024

 

 

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

  Page
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY 1
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS 19
RISK FACTORS 20
USE OF PROCEEDS 49
DIVIDEND POLICY 50
CAPITALIZATION 51
DILUTION 52
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 53
CORPORATE HISTORY AND STRUCTURE 73
INDUSTRY 76
BUSINESS 88
REGULATIONS 102
MANAGEMENT 114
PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS 119
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS 121
DESCRIPTION OF SHARE CAPITAL 125
SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE 134
TAXATION 135
ENFORCEABILITY OF CIVIL LIABILITIES 139
UNDERWRITING 140
EXPENSES RELATED TO THIS OFFERING 152
LEGAL MATTERS 153
EXPERTS 153
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION 153
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS F-1

 

You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus or in any free writing prospectus we may authorize to be delivered or made available to you. Neither we, nor the underwriter has authorized anyone to provide you with different information. The information in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date of this prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus, or any free writing prospectus, as the case may be, or any sale of the Class B Ordinary Shares.

 

For investors outside the United States: Neither we, nor the underwriter has done anything that would permit this offering or possession or distribution of this prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required, other than in the United States. Persons outside the United States who come into possession of this prospectus must inform themselves about, and observe any restrictions relating to, the offering of the Class B Ordinary Shares and the distribution of this prospectus outside the United States.

 

i

 

 

COMMONLY USED DEFINED TERMS

 

Except as otherwise indicated by the context and for the purposes of this prospectus only, references in this prospectus to:

 

“CAC” are to the Cyberspace Administration of China;

 

“CSRC” are to the China Securities Regulatory Commission;

 

“Henduoka” are to Fujian Henduoka Network Technology Co., Ltd., a related party and the provider of the SaaS software for the Company’s intelligent access control and safety management system. Henduoka is a former subsidiary of the Company that was disposed of in November 2022;

 

“Hong Kong” are to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China;

 

“IoT” are to Internet of Things which means a network of interconnected physical devices, vehicles, appliances and other items embedded with sensors, software, and connectivity. Through IoT, various devices can be automated and controlled remotely, enhancing efficiency and offering economic benefits;

 

“Lianzhang Portal” are to LZ Menhu’s 93.70% owned subsidiary, Lianzhang Portal Network Technology Co., Ltd., a PRC company;

 

“LZ Menhu” or “WFOE” are to Lianzhang Menhu (Zhejiang) Holding Co., Ltd., a PRC company;

 

“LZ Technology” are to LZ Technology Holdings Limited, a holding company incorporated in the Cayman Islands as an exempted company;

 

“monitors” and “screens,” used interchangeably, are to the Company’s display device utilized in its access control system;

 

  “PRC” and “China” are to the People’s Republic of China, and the term “Chinese” has a correlative meaning.

 

“RMB” or “Renminbi” are to the legal currency of China;

 

“SaaS” are to software as a service which means a way of delivering applications remotely over the Internet;

 

“U.S. dollars,” “dollars,” “USD” or “$” are to the legal currency of the United States;

 

“we,” “us,” “the Company,” “our” or “our company” are to LZ Technology and its consolidated subsidiaries; and

 

“Xiamen Infinity” are to Lianzhang Portal’s 100% owned subsidiary, Xiamen Infinity Network Technology Co., Ltd., a PRC company.

 

This registration statement contains translations of certain RMB amounts into U.S. dollar amounts at specified rates solely for the convenience of the reader. Translations of amounts from RMB into U.S. dollars were calculated at the rate of $1.00=RMB7.2513 representing the middle rate as set forth in the statistical release of the Federal Reserve as of June 30, 2023.

 

Numerical figures included in this registration statement have been subject to rounding adjustments. Accordingly, numerical figures shown as totals in various tables may not be arithmetic aggregations of the figures that precede them.

 

Our fiscal year end is December 31. References to a particular “fiscal year” are to our fiscal year ended December 31 of that calendar year. Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, or U.S. GAAP.

 

For the sake of clarity, this registration statement follows the English naming convention of given name followed by family name, regardless of whether an individual’s name is Chinese or English. For example, the name of our Chairman will be presented as “Andong Zhang” even though, in Chinese, Mr. Zhang’s name is presented as “Zhang Andong.”

 

This prospectus includes statistical and other industry and market data that we obtained from industry publications and research, surveys and studies conducted by third parties. Industry publications and third-party research, surveys and studies generally indicate that their information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, although they do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of such information. While we believe these industry publications and third-party research, surveys and studies are reliable, you are cautioned not to give undue weight to this information.

 

We have proprietary rights to trademarks used in this prospectus that are important to our business. Solely for convenience, the trademarks, service marks and trade names referred to in this prospectus are without the ®, ™ and other similar symbols, but such references are not intended to indicate, in any way, that we will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, our rights or the rights of the applicable licensors to these trademarks, service marks and trade names.

 

This prospectus may contain additional trademarks, service marks and trade names of others. All trademarks, service marks and trade names appearing in this prospectus are, to our knowledge, the property of their respective owners. We do not intend our use or display of other companies’ trademarks, service marks or trade names to imply a relationship with, or endorsement or sponsorship of us by, any other person.

 

ii

 

 

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

 

Investors are cautioned that you are buying shares of a Cayman Islands holding company without operations of its own.

 

This summary highlights information appearing elsewhere in this prospectus and does not contain all of the information that you should consider in making your investment decision. You should carefully read this entire prospectus, including the “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation” sections and the financial statements and the related notes, before deciding whether to invest in the Class B Ordinary Shares.

 

The Company

 

Overview

 

As a holding company with no material operations of its own, LZ Technology conducts its operations through its operating entities formed in the PRC, primarily Lianzhang Portal and its subsidiaries. See “Our Corporate History and Structure” beginning on page 8 for more information of our operating structure. The Company’s total revenues increased by RMB81.9 million, or 101.1%, to RMB163.0 million ($22.5 million) for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to RMB81.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. Our total revenues increased by RMB148.1 million, or 351.1%, to RMB190.3 million ($26.2 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2023, compared to RMB42.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022. Our net loss decreased by RMB33.7 million, or 69.5%, to RMB14.8 million ($2.0 million) for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to RMB48.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. We had net income of RMB1.3 million ($0.2 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2023, compared to net loss of RMB9.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022. For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, the Company had a total of 103 and 247 customers, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2023, the Company had a total of 128 and 102 customers, respectively. The Company, however, has derived a large portion of its revenues from a few customers. For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, the Company’s top three customers collectively accounted for approximately 69.3% and 84.4% of its total revenue, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2023, the Company’s top three customers collectively accounted for approximately 62.4% and 50.0% of its total revenue, respectively. For more detailed information regarding our financial performance, see “Summary Consolidated Financial Information” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

 

The Company is an information technology and advertising company. Its operations are organized primarily into three business verticals: (i) Smart Community, (ii) Out-of-Home Advertising, and (iii) Local Life.

 

Smart Community. The Company provides intelligent community building access and safety management systems through access control monitors and vendor-provided SaaS platforms. The Company’s intelligent community access control system makes resident access to properties simpler. As of the date of this prospectus, approximately 73,717 of the Company’s access control screens have been installed in over 4,000 residential communities, serving over 2.7 million households.

 

Out-of-Home Advertising. The Company offers clients one-stop multi-channel advertising solutions. Capitalizing on the Company’s network of monitors that span approximately 120 cities in China such as Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Nanjing, Xiamen, Hefei, Dalian, Ningbo, Chengdu, Hangzhou, Wuhan, Chongqing, Changsha, the Company’s Out-of-Home Advertising services help merchants display advertisements in a variety of formats across its intelligent access control and safety management system. Advertisements are placed on the monitors and within the SaaS software. Residents are exposed to these advertisements each time they enter and exit community buildings or open the SaaS software. This level of visibility serves as a highly effective means of advertising, assisting merchants in effectively promoting their brands and accelerating their product sales. Moreover, the Company partners with other outdoor advertising providers to maximize coverage by placing the advertisements on the partners’ numerous displays in public transportation, hotels and other settings as well as deploying posters at events. This broad approach provides clients with a truly comprehensive out-of-home advertising solution.

 

Local Life. The Company connects local businesses with consumers via online promotions and transactions. With its strong technological capabilities, the Company helps local restaurants, hotels, tourist companies, retail stores, cinemas and other merchants offer deals and coupons to consumers on social media platforms such as WeChat, Douyin (the Chinese version of TikTok) and Xiaohongshu. The Local Life vertical bridges the businesses’ need for product sales and promotions and the consumers’ need for dining, shopping, entertainment, tourist attractions and other local services. In addition, deals from local businesses can also be displayed on the access control screens. In this way, clients of the Company’s Local Life services can also reach the Smart Community residents, leveraging the Company’s access control screens’ extensive coverage and high exposure potential. Since early 2023, we have embarked on executing the strategy of deepening engagement with merchants and manufacturers within our Local Life space through facilitating retail sales of diversified goods and services, including beverages, groceries and travel packages.

 

The Company reports financial results in one segment. Currently, a substantial portion of the Company’s revenues are generated from advertising and promotional activities, namely by the Out-of-Home Advertising and Local Life verticals. Revenues from Smart Community, which mainly consist of product sales of access control devices and service fees, contribute only a small portion to the Company’s total revenues. Thus, the Smart Community revenues are grouped with other miscellaneous revenue sources, such as advertising design and production and social media account operations, under the catch-all category titled “Other Revenues” in the description of the Company’s revenues.

 

1

 

 

Our Competitive Strengths

 

The Company distinguishes itself through the following competitive strengths:

 

  Strong branding effect. Currently serving a large number of communities and households, we continue to expand our network of access control screens by seizing opportunities in the urban renewal market. By collaborating with property managers and developers, we are solidifying our position in this segmented field.

  

Robust Research and Development capabilities. We have a dedicated research and development team responsible for constructing and maintaining our devices and hardware system, as well as developing new products and features. This team, with extensive experience in discerning IoT smart technology requirements, spearheading product innovation and carrying out technical implementation, ensures ongoing solutions to challenges and consistent upgrades to our technology infrastructure.

 

Experienced leadership team. The founders of our team have successful entrepreneurial experiences. The founder and Chairman, Andong Zhang, is an expert in intelligent construction designated by the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development and a distinguished entrepreneur in China. Mr. Zhang is responsible for overall company strategy, positioning, and operational management. Prior to founding the Company, Mr. Zhang founded Qiushi, our hardware supplier and a company engaged in manufacturing monitors and other IoT products. As a model company in the IoT industry, Qiushi received multiple site-visits from industrial associations and governmental officials. With years of deep involvement in intelligent digital technology, products and services, Mr. Zhang has amassed a wealth of industry resources and developed strategic acumen. Since our establishment in 2014, we have broadened our offerings beyond access control systems and related advertising to provide comprehensive advertising packages to clients. This strategic diversification leverages our robust technological capabilities and our strategic alliances with partner outdoor advertising providers to deliver superior value to our clients.

 

Mature business model. The Company’s three business verticals—Smart Community, Out-of-Home Advertising and Local Life—possess a potent synergy. The growth in one vertical can drive improvements in others. Our Smart Community provides crucial access points. These resources benefit our Out-of-Home Advertising by offering an invaluable advertising platform, At the same time, our Local Life services leverage Smart Community’s access points and network to amplify reach and enhance effectiveness. As the number of access control screens increases in Smart Community, the sales volume and bargaining power of our Out-of-Home Advertising grow. Our Local Life vertical complements our Out-of-Home Advertising by providing social media advertising and promotional services. By capitalizing on our operational and technological capabilities, the Company has connected these three sectors within the community landscape, creating a flywheel effect where 1+1+1 > 3 and achieving a more resilient business model.

 

Integration of solutions from various suppliers. The Company aggregates and empowers other outdoor advertising platforms, such as screens in public transportation, building elevators and hotel rooms, as well as advertising opportunities in offline events and activities. We provide customers with integrated multi-channel marketing solutions and precise programmatic delivery. Based on specific customer needs, we can offer tailored advertising planning and broadcasting solutions, using a mix of multi-scene out-of-home advertising, poster displays in events and social media marketing. Through strategic collaborations with other advertising providers and resource owners, we deliver comprehensive and effective advertising services to our clients, helping them achieve maximum brand promotion and product success, truly integrating brand visibility and effectiveness.

 

Favorable marketing ecosystem. Our meticulously planned and executed marketing efforts have forged a robust alliance within the out-of-home advertising industry that pools customer bases. In addition, by employing a model that combines our in-house marketing team with third-party city partners, we continually expand into new strategic cities, enabling us to maintain a solid position in the Smart Community field while simultaneously expanding our advertising platform.

 

2

 

 

Our Growth Strategies

 

We plan to pursue the following strategies to grow our business:

 

Solidify our industry position. We intend to continue expanding our marketing efforts to increase awareness of our offerings and brand, aiming to attract new buyers of our intelligent access control and safety management systems and recruit additional city partners. We plan to complete further regional expansions in 2024, in order to strategically enhance our geographic coverage. In addition, we are committed to the continual development and innovation of our content, service offerings, hardware and software development and integration capabilities, which forms our core competitiveness in penetrating existing and new markets.

 

Enhance our ability to attract, incentivize and retain merchant customers. We aim to further enhance our offerings to attract and retain merchant customers. Leveraging our technological capabilities and network of access control screens, our Local Life vertical bridges residents’ needs for convenient selection and purchase of reliable and competitively priced products and services and merchants’ demands for effective product and service promotion. Recognizing the vast sales potential in the residential community landscape, we plan to deepen our engagement with merchants and manufacturers within our Local Life space. We intend to enable them to offer home delivery services for household supplies and food, coordinate flight and train tickets, hotel accommodation and admission tickets for residents, and present top deals from leading e-commerce platforms. We have started to execute this strategy since the beginning of 2023. We intend to utilize our integrated multi-channel advertising solutions to provide promotional services to merchants and manufacturers that focus on improving their sales performance. At the same time, we provide community households with easy access to high-quality and low-cost products and services, which attracts more communities to join our Smart Community platform, expanding both the audience scope and the marketing resources of the platform. To achieve this, we will continuously refine our business model.

 

Expand into overseas markets. We plan to apply the Company’s model beyond China, targeting foreign markets. The overseas community access control markets show positive trends in technological innovation and demand for security and intelligence, despite regional differences. With the increasing need for safety and convenience, we project completion of our overseas market expansion within the next 3-5 years.

 

Our Risks and Challenges

 

Investing in the Class B Ordinary Shares involves a high degree of risk. Investors purchasing securities in this offering are purchasing securities of LZ Technology, a Cayman Islands holding company, rather than securities of LZ Technology’s subsidiaries that conduct substantive business operations in China. This structure involves unique risks to investors and investors may never hold equity interests in the Chinese operating companies. Chinese regulatory authorities could disallow this structure, which would likely result in a material change in our operations and/or a material change in the value of the securities we are registering for sale, including that it could cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or become worthless. You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties summarized below and the risks described under the “Risk Factors” section beginning on page 20, including “Risks Related to Doing Business in China” beginning on page 20, “Risks Related to Our Business and Industry” beginning on page 27, “Risks Related to the Smart Community Business” beginning on page 34, “Risks Related to the Out-of-Home Advertising Services” beginning on page 36, “Risks Related to the Local Life Services” beginning on page 38, “Risks Related to this Offering and Ownership of the Class B Ordinary Shares” beginning on page 40, and the other information contained in this prospectus before you decide whether to purchase the Class B Ordinary Shares.

 

Risks Related to Doing Business in China

 

As a business operating in China, the Company is subject to risks and uncertainties relating to doing business in China in general, including without limitation, the following:

 

  Since all of the Company’s operations are in China, the Company’s business is subject to the complex and rapidly evolving laws and regulations there. The Chinese government may exercise significant oversight and discretion over the conduct of the Company’s business and may intervene in or influence the Company’s operations at any time, which could result in a material change in the Company’s operations and/or the value of the Class B Ordinary Shares. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—The economic, political and social conditions in China could affect our business, results of operations, financial conditions and prospects which could result in a material change in the Company’s operations and/or the value of the Class B Ordinary Shares” on page 20;

 

  The development of the PRC legal system and changes in the interpretation and enforcement of PRC laws, regulations and policies in China could adversely affect us. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—The development of the PRC legal system and changes in the interpretation and enforcement of PRC laws, regulations and policies in China could adversely affect us” on page 20;

 

  Any actions by the Chinese government to exert more oversight and control over offerings that are conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in China-based issuers could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors and cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or be worthless. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—The development of the PRC legal system and changes in the interpretation and enforcement of PRC laws, regulations and policies in China could adversely affect us” on page 20.

 

3

 

 

  The CSRC has released rules for China-based companies seeking to conduct initial public offerings in foreign markets with respect to filing procedures to be completed with the CSRC. According to these rules, we expect to perform necessary recordation filings with the CSRC for this offering and future securities offerings outside of China, which will subject us to additional compliance requirements. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—The CSRC has released rules for China-based companies seeking to conduct initial public offerings in foreign markets with respect to filing procedures to be completed with the CSRC. According to these rules, we expect to perform necessary recordation filings with the CSRC for this offering and future securities offerings outside of China, which will subject us to additional compliance requirements” on page 21;

 

  LZ Technology may rely on dividends and other distributions on equity from our PRC subsidiaries for its cash requirements. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—LZ Technology may rely on dividends and other distributions on equity from our PRC subsidiaries for its cash requirements” on page 21;

 

PRC regulation of loans to and direct investment in PRC entities by offshore holding companies and currency conversion policies may delay us from using the proceeds of this offering to make loans or additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries, which could materially and adversely affect the Company’s liquidity and the Company’s ability to fund and expand its business. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—PRC regulation of loans to and direct investment in PRC entities by offshore holding companies and currency conversion policies may delay us from using the proceeds of this offering to make loans or additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries, which could materially and adversely affect the Company’s liquidity and the Company’s ability to fund and expand its business” on page 22;

  

  The recent joint statement by the SEC, proposed rule changes submitted by Nasdaq, and acts passed by the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives, all call for additional and more stringent criteria to be applied to U.S.-listed companies with significant operations in China. These developments could add uncertainties to our listing, future offerings, business operations, share price and reputation. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—The recent joint statement by the SEC, proposed rule changes submitted by Nasdaq, and acts passed by the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives, all call for additional and more stringent criteria to be applied to U.S.-listed companies with significant operations in China. These developments could add uncertainties to our listing, future offerings, business operations, share price and reputation” on page 23;

 

Risks Related to Our Business and Industry

 

Risks and uncertainties related to the Company’s business and industry include, without limitation, the following:

 

Due to the Company’s accumulated deficit, net losses from operations for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, and a working capital deficit as of December 31, 2022, there is substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

 

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has and may continue to adversely affect the Company’s business and results of operations.

 

A significant portion of the Company’s revenue is concentrated in a small number of large customers. Any loss or significant reduction of business with, one or more of them could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

The Company has engaged in transactions with related parties, and terms obtained or consideration that it paid in connection with these transactions may not be comparable to terms available or the amounts that would be paid in arm’s length transactions.

 

The Company has incurred indebtedness and may incur other debt in the future, which may adversely affect its financial condition and future financial results.

 

The Company invests in research and development, and to the extent the Company’s research and development investments are not directed efficiently or do not result in cost-efficient enhancements to the Company’s products and services, the Company’s business and results of operations would be harmed.

 

We may fail to protect our intellectual properties.

 

4

 

 

We may be subject to intellectual property infringement claims.

 

The growth of our business may be adversely affected if we do not implement our growth strategies and initiatives successfully or if we are unable to manage our growth or operations effectively.

 

We may fail to make necessary or desirable strategic alliances, acquisitions or investments, and we may not be able to achieve the benefits we expect from the alliances, acquisition or investments we make.

 

Our success depends on the continuing efforts of our senior management and key employees.

 

If we are unable to recruit, train and retain talents, our business may be materially and adversely affected.

 

Our lack of insurance could expose us to significant costs and business disruption.

 

We may not be able to raise additional capital when desired, on favorable terms or at all.

 

If we fail to implement and maintain an effective system of internal controls to remediate our material weakness over financial reporting, we may be unable to accurately report our results of operations, meet our reporting obligations or prevent fraud.

 

Risks Related to the Smart Community Business

 

Any harm to the Company’s brand or reputation may materially and adversely affect its business.

 

The Company depends on one affiliated manufacturer for substantially all of its hardware manufacturing needs. If this manufacturer experiences any delay, disruption, or quality control problems in its operations and the Company fails to find a replacement manufacturer in a timely manner and on acceptable terms, the Company could lose or fail to grow its market share and its brand may suffer.

 

Defects or performance problems in the Company’s Smart Community devices could result in a loss of customers, reputational damage and decreased revenue. Additionally, the Company may face warranty, indemnity, and product liability claims that may arise from malfunctions.

 

The Company may face disruption to its technology systems, leading to interruptions in the availability of its services.

 

Delays, costs, and disruptions that result from upgrading, integrating, and maintaining the security of the information and technology networks and systems integral to the intelligent access control and safety management system could materially adversely affect the Company’s business.

 

Due to the ever-changing threat landscape, the Company’s Smart Community system may be subject to potential vulnerabilities of wireless and IoT devices, as well as risks related to hacking or other unauthorized access to control or view systems and obtain private information, which may disrupt the normal function of the Smart Community system.

 

The success of the Company’s Smart Community business is dependent upon its ability to obtain and renew contracts with various communities and property managers, which the Company may not be able to obtain on favorable terms.

 

Risks Related to the Out-of-Home Advertising Services

 

The Company has generated revenues primarily from advertising and promotional activities, namely by the Out-of-Home Advertising and Local Life business verticals, and any loss or significant reduction of business in these verticals could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s revenues, financial positions and operating results.

 

The Company’s advertising strategies depend on its Smart Community monitors to a great extent. If defects were found on the access control monitors, this could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s revenues, financial position and operating results.

 

5

 

 

The Company depends on third-party providers for components of its Out-of-Home Advertising services. Any failure or interruption in the services provided by these third parties could negatively impact the Company’s ability to deliver the advertising packages to clients.

 

The Company relies on various third-party telecommunications providers and signal processing centers to transmit and communicate signals to its Smart Community systems.

 

The Company faces intense competition in the Out-of-Home Advertising business.

 

Restrictions on advertising of certain products may restrict the categories of clients that can advertise using the Company’s services.

 

If the Company’s security measures are breached, the Company could lose valuable information, suffer disruptions to its business, and incur expenses and liabilities, including damage to its relationships with customers and business partners.

 

Risks Related to the Local Life Services

 

The Company expects the Local Life vertical to be a new growth area in 2023 and beyond, and one of its growth strategies is to enhance its ability to attract, incentivize and retain merchant customers for the Local Life services. However, this focus on the Local Life vertical may be unsuccessful.

 

The future success of the Local Life vertical depends upon the Company’s ability to attract and retain high quality merchants.

 

If some of the Company’s merchant customers fail to provide a superior consumer experience, consumers may lose confidence in the products and services the Company promotes generally, which could have a material adverse impact on the Local Life business.

 

The Company faces intense competition in the Local Life business, and it may lose market share and consumers if it fails to compete effectively.

 

Risks Relating to this Offering and Ownership of the Class B Ordinary Shares

 

The Company is also subject to risks relating to the Class B Ordinary Shares and this offering, including without limitation, the following:

 

Our dual class voting structure has the effect of concentrating the voting control in holders of our Class A Ordinary Shares, which will limit or preclude your ability to influence corporate matters, and your interests may conflict with the interests of these shareholders. It may also adversely affect the trading market for our Class B Ordinary Shares due to exclusion from certain stock market indices.

 

There has been no public market for the Class B Ordinary Shares prior to this offering and an active trading market for the Class B Ordinary Shares may not develop following the completion of this offering.

 

The initial public offering price for the Class B Ordinary Shares may not be indicative of prices that will prevail in the trading market and such market prices may be volatile.

 

The market price of the Class B Ordinary Shares may be volatile or may decline regardless of our operating performance, and you may not be able to resell your shares at or above the initial public offering price.

 

6

 

 

We may experience extreme stock price volatility unrelated to our actual or expected operating performance, financial condition or prospects, making it difficult for prospective investors to assess the rapidly changing value of the Class B Ordinary Shares.

 

We may not be able to maintain a listing of the Class B Ordinary Shares on Nasdaq.

 

If securities or industry analysts publish unfavorable research, or do not continue to cover us, the Company’s share price and trading volume could decline.

 

As the initial public offering price of the Class B Ordinary Shares is substantially higher than our net tangible book value per share, you will experience immediate and substantial dilution.
   
We have broad discretion as to the use of the net proceeds from this offering and our use of the offering proceeds may not yield a favorable return on your investment. Additionally, we may use these proceeds in ways with which you may not agree or in the most effective way.

 

We have not historically declared or paid dividends on the Class B Ordinary Shares and, consequently, your ability to achieve a return on your investment will depend on appreciation in the price of the Class B Ordinary Shares.

 

Substantial future sales of the Class B Ordinary Shares or the anticipation of future sales of the Class B Ordinary Shares in the public market could cause the price of the Class B Ordinary Shares to decline.

 

We may issue additional equity or debt securities, which are senior to the Class B Ordinary Shares as to distributions and in liquidation, which could materially adversely affect the market price of the Class B Ordinary Shares.

 

We will be subject to ongoing public reporting requirements that are less rigorous than Exchange Act rules for companies that are not emerging growth companies, and the shareholders could receive less information than they might expect to receive from more mature public companies.

 

Our Chairman, Mr. Andong Zhang, has significant voting power and may take actions that may not be in the best interests of our other shareholders.

 

Upon the completion of this offering, we expect to be a “controlled company” under the rules of Nasdaq and as a result, we may choose to exempt our company from certain corporate governance requirements that could have an adverse effect on our public shareholders.

 

We are a foreign private issuer within the meaning of the rules under the Exchange Act, and as such we are exempt from certain provisions applicable to U.S. domestic public companies.

 

As a foreign private issuer, we are permitted to rely on exemptions from certain Nasdaq corporate governance standards applicable to domestic U.S. issuers. This may afford less protection to holders of the Class B Ordinary Shares.

 

We may lose our foreign private issuer status in the future, which could result in significant additional costs and expenses.

 

You will be unable to present proposals before annual general meetings or extraordinary general meetings.

 

Certain judgments obtained against us by LZ Technology’s shareholders may not be enforceable.

 

You may face difficulties in protecting your interests, and your ability to protect your rights through U.S. courts may be limited, because LZ Technology is incorporated under Cayman Islands law.

 

LZ Technology’s memorandum and articles of association contain anti-takeover provisions that could discourage a third party from acquiring us, which could limit LZ Technology’s shareholders’ opportunity to sell their shares at a premium.

 

There is a risk that we will be a passive foreign investment company for any taxable year, which could result in adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. investors in the Class B Ordinary Shares.

 

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Our Corporate History and Structure

 

The following diagram illustrates our corporate structure as of the date of this prospectus:

 

 

Blue Box – The entity in which investors are purchasing the Class B Ordinary Shares being offered.

 

Orange Boxes – The entities in which the Company’s operations are conducted.

 

Upon LZ Technology’s incorporation on November 23, 2022, it had an authorized share capital of $50,000 divided into 50,000 shares of a par value of $1.00 each. On November 23, 2022, one ordinary share, par value of $1.00, was allotted and issued to the initial subscriber, Sertus Nominees (Cayman) Limited, who transferred the share to LZ Digital Technology Holdings Co., Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company (“LZ Holdings”), on the same day. In addition, an additional 49,999 ordinary shares, par value of $1.00 each, were allotted and issued to LZ Holdings for a total consideration of $49,999. As a result, LZ Technology had 50,000 ordinary shares, par value of $1.00 each, issued and outstanding on November 23, 2022.

 

On June 23, 2023, LZ Technology repurchased 49,999 ordinary shares, $1.00 par value, from LZ Holdings for $49,999. LZ Technology paid the purchase price out of its capital and the repurchased shares were immediately cancelled. As a result of the repurchase, LZ Technology had one ordinary share, $1.00 par value issued and outstanding, which was owned by LZ Holdings.

 

Immediately following the above repurchase of shares, each issued and unissued share of LZ Technology, par value of $1.00 was subdivided into 10,000 shares, par value of $0.0001 each. As a result of the subdivision, the authorized share capital of LZ Technology changed from $50,000 divided into 50,000 shares with a par value of $1.00 each to $50,000 divided into 500,000,000 shares with a par value of $0.0001 each. In addition, immediately after the subdivision, the authorized share capital of LZ Technology was re-classified and re-designated into $50,000 divided into 20,000,000 Class A Ordinary Shares, par value of $0.0001 each and 480,000,000 Class B Ordinary Shares, par value of $0.0001 each. The then-issued, post-subdivision 10,000 ordinary shares owned by LZ Holdings, were re-classified and re-designated as 10,000 Class A Ordinary Shares.

 

8

 

 

Following the re-classification and re-designation referred to above, LZ Technology allotted and issued the following shares:

 

9,579,248 Class A Ordinary Shares to LZ Holdings for $957.9248;

 

11,807,883 Class B Ordinary Shares to LZ Holdings for $1,180.7883;

 

6,239,909 Class B Ordinary Shares to BJ Tojoy Shared Enterprise Consulting Ltd for $623.9909;

 

15,000,000 Class B Ordinary Shares to Vanshion Investment Group Limited (万盛投资集团有限公司)for $1,500;

 

16,942,491 Class B Ordinary Shares to Youder Investment Group Limited (友达投资集团有限公司)for $1,694.2491;

 

1,259,273 Class B Ordinary Shares to Sing Family Investment Limited for $125.9273; and

 

3,032,846 Class B Ordinary Shares to Kim Full Investment Company Limited for $303.2846.

 

Upon completion of the above reorganization, the authorized share capital of LZ Technology became $50,000 divided into 500,000,000 shares of a nominal or par value of $0.0001 each, comprising 20,000,000 Class A Ordinary Shares of a par value of $0.0001 each and 480,000,000 Class B Ordinary Shares of a par value of $0.0001 each. As of the date of this prospectus, there are 9,589,248 Class A Ordinary Shares, and 54,282,402 Class B Ordinary Shares issued and outstanding.

 

As of the date of this prospectus, the Company has the following subsidiaries:

 

Dongrun Technology Holdings Limited, a wholly owned direct subsidiary, formed on December 5, 2022 under the laws of British Virgin Islands, whose principal activity is investment holding;

 

LZ Digital Technology Group Limited, a wholly owned indirect subsidiary, formed on November 21, 2022 under the laws of Hong Kong, whose principal activity is investment holding;

 

Lianzhang Menhu (Zhejiang) Holding Co., Ltd. (联掌门户(浙江)控股有限公司), or LZ Menhu, the WFOE, a wholly owned indirect subsidiary, formed on May 10, 2023 under PRC laws, whose principal activity is investment holding;

 

  Lianzhang Portal Network Technology Co., Ltd (联掌门户网络科技有限公司), or Lianzhang Portal, a 93.70% owned indirect subsidiary, formed on September 10, 2014 under PRC laws, engaged in providing intelligent access control and safety management systems and advertising and promotional services. As of the date of this prospectus, Wuxi Jiangxi Technology Venture Capital Co., Ltd. and Wuxi Xinqu Fin-tech Venture Capital Co., Ltd. (collectively, the “Lianzhang Portal’s minority shareholders”) each owns approximately 3.15% of Lianzhang Portal. Lianzhang Portal’s minority shareholders have filed a lawsuit with the Wuxi Intermediate People’s Court on January 30, 2023, demanding Mr. Andong Zhang, our Chairman, to repurchase all the shares of Lianzhang Portal held by them. For more details, please see “Corporate History and Structure—Lianzhang Portal’s Minority Shareholders”;

  

LianZhang Media Co., Ltd. (联掌传媒有限责任公司), a wholly owned subsidiary of Lianzhang Portal, formed on January 16, 2018 under PRC laws, engaged in providing advertising, information system integration service, and information technology consulting service;  

 

Xiamen LianZhang Culture Media Co., Ltd. (厦门联掌文化传媒有限责任公司), a wholly owned subsidiary of Lianzhang Portal, formed on October 15, 2014 under PRC laws, engaged in advertising, information system integration service, and information technology consulting service; 

 

LianZhang New Community Construction Development (Jiangsu) Co., Ltd. (联掌新型社区建设发展(江苏)有限责任公司), an 80% owned subsidiary of Lianzhang Portal, formed on June 21, 2018 under PRC laws, engaged in sales of access control devices and renovation of old residential areas; 

 

  Xiamen Lianzhanghui Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd. (厦门联掌慧智能技术有限责任公司), a wholly owned subsidiary of Lianzhang Portal, formed on October 31, 2014 under PRC laws, engaged in sales of access control devices and renovation of old residential areas;

 

9

 

 

Xiamen Infinity Network Technology Co., Ltd. (厦门无限主义网络科技有限公司), or Xiamen Infinity, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lianzhang Portal, formed on August 16, 2021 under PRC laws, engaged in social media advertising of experience and grocery products;

 

Xiamen Limited E-commerce Co., Ltd. (厦门有限主义电子商务有限公司), a wholly owned subsidiary of Lianzhang Portal, formed on April 7, 2022 under PRC laws, whose principal activity is investment holding;

 

Lianzhang Digital Technology (Xiamen) Co., Ltd. (联掌数字科技(厦门)有限公司), or Lianzhang Digital Technology, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lianzhang Portal, formed on May 6, 2023 under PRC laws, engaged in system operation and management;

 

  Lianzhang Life Services (Xiamen) Co., Ltd. (联掌生活服务(厦门)有限公司), a wholly owned subsidiary of Lianzhang Digital Technology, formed on May 9, 2023 under PRC laws, engaged in online sales of local experience and grocery products;

 

Lianzhang Digital Marketing Planning (Xiamen) Co., Ltd. (联掌数字营销策划(厦门)有限公司), a wholly owned subsidiary of Lianzhang Digital Technology, formed on May 9, 2023 under PRC laws, engaged in advertising and promotional services;

 

Live Well (Xiamen) Network Technology Co., Ltd. (住得好(厦门)网络科技有限公司), a 70% owned subsidiary of Lianzhang Life Services (Xiamen) Co., Ltd., formed on May 12, 2023 under PRC laws, engaged in online sales of local experience and grocery products;

 

Taizhou Quanxiang Network Technology Co., Ltd. (台州圈享网络科技有限公司), a 51% owned subsidiary of Xiamen Infinity, formed on February 23, 2023 under PRC laws, engaged in online sales of local experience and grocery products;

 

Shanghai Lianxian Digital Technology Co., Ltd. (上海联限数字科技有限公司), a 65% owned subsidiary of Xiamen Limited E-commerce Co., Ltd., formed on April 11, 2023 under PRC laws, engaged in engaged in online sales of local experience and grocery products.

 

You are specifically cautioned that in addition, as we conduct substantially all of our operations in China, there are significant subject to legal and operational risks associated with having substantially all of our operations in China, including risks related to the legal, political and economic policies of the Chinese government, the relations between China and the United States, and applicable PRC and United States regulations, which risks could result in a material change in our operations and/or cause the value of the Class B Ordinary Shares to significantly decline or become worthless and affect LZ Technology’s ability to offer or continue to offer its securities to investors.

 

Licenses and Permissions

 

We are not operating in an industry that prohibits or limits foreign investment in China. As a result, as advised by our PRC counsel, Hylands Law Firm, other than those requisite for a domestic company in China engaged in the same business, as of the date of this prospectus, we are not required to obtain any additional permission to conduct our business operations in China. However, if we do not receive or maintain our existing licenses, or we inadvertently conclude that governmental approvals are not required, or applicable laws, regulations, or interpretations change such that we are required to obtain approval in the future and we fail to obtain such approval on a timely basis, we may be subject to governmental investigations, fines, penalties, orders to suspend operations and rectify any non-compliance, or prohibitions from conducting certain business or any financing, which could result in a material adverse change in our operations, significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors, or cause our securities to significantly decline in value or become worthless.

 

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As of the date of this prospectus, our PRC subsidiaries have received from PRC authorities all requisite licenses, permissions or approvals needed to engage in the businesses currently conducted by them in China in all material aspects, and no permission or approval has been denied. The following table summarizes the licenses and permissions currently held by our PRC subsidiaries.

 

Company   License/Permit   Issuing Authority   Issuance
Date
  Term
Lianzhang Menhu (Zhejiang) Holding Co., Ltd.
(联掌门户(浙江)控股有限公司)
  Business License   Huzhou City Wuxing District Market Supervision Administration
湖州市吴兴区市场监督管理局
  May 10, 2023   No fixed term.
Lianzhang Portal Network Technology Co., Ltd
(联掌门户网络科技有限公司)
  Business License   Huzhou City Wuxing District Market Supervision Administration
湖州市吴兴区市场监督管理局
  June 28, 2023   No fixed term.
LianZhang Media Co., Ltd.
联掌传媒有限责任公司
  Business License   Wuxi National Technological Innovation District (Wuxi Xinwu District) Administrative Approval Bureau
无锡国家高新技术产业开发区(无锡市新吴区)行政审批局
  May 30, 2023   No fixed term.
Xiamen LianZhang Culture Media Co., Ltd.
厦门联掌文化传媒有限责任公司
  Business License   Xiamen Market Supervision Administration
厦门市市场监督管理局
  August 28, 2020   2064-10-14
LianZhang New Community Construction Development (Jiangsu) Co., Ltd.
联掌新型社区建设发展(江苏)有限责任公司
  Business License   Wuxi National Technological Innovation District (Wuxi Xinwu District) Administrative Approval Bureau
无锡国家高新技术产业开发区(无锡市新吴区)行政审批局
  June 7, 2023   No fixed term.
Xiamen Lianzhanghui Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd.
厦门联掌慧智能技术有限责任公司
  Business License   Xiamen Siming District Market Supervision Administration
厦门市思明区市场监督管理局
  September 8, 2017   2064-10-30
Xiamen Infinity Network Technology Co., Ltd.
厦门无限主义网络科技有限公司
  Business License   Xiamen Market Supervision Administration
厦门市市场监督管理局
  January 4, 2022   No fixed term.
Xiamen Limited E-commerce Co., Ltd. 厦门有限主义电子商务有限公司   Business License   Xiamen Market Supervision Administration
厦门市市场监督管理局
  March 20, 2023   No fixed term.
Lianzhang Digital Technology (Xiamen) Co., Ltd.
联掌数字科技(厦门)有限公司  
  Business License   Xiamen Market Supervision Administration
厦门市市场监督管理局
  May 6, 2023   No fixed term.
Lianzhang Life Services (Xiamen) Co., Ltd.
联掌生活服务(厦门)有限公司
  Business License   Xiamen Market Supervision Administration
厦门市市场监督管理局
  May 10, 2023   2073-05-09
Lianzhang Digital Marketing Planning (Xiamen) Co., Ltd.
联掌数字营销策划(厦门)有限公司
  Business License   Xiamen Market Supervision Administration
厦门市市场监督管理局
  May 10, 2023    2073-05-09
Live Well (Xiamen) Network Technology Co., Ltd.
住得好(厦门)网络科技有限公司
  Business License   Xiamen Market Supervision Administration
厦门市市场监督管理局
  May, 12, 2023    2073-05-11
Taizhou Quanxiang Network Technology Co., Ltd.
台州圈享网络科技有限公司
  Business License   Taizhou Market Supervision Administration Taizhouwan New District Branch
台州市市场监督管理局台州湾新区分局
  February 23, 2023   No fixed term.
Shanghai Lianxian Digital Technology Co., Ltd.
上海联限数字科技有限公司
  Business License   Jiading District Market Supervision Administration
嘉定区市场监督管理局
  April 11, 2023   No fixed term.

 

As advised by our PRC counsel, Hylands Law Firm, neither LZ Technology nor any of its subsidiaries is currently required to obtain regulatory approval from Chinese authorities before listing in the U.S. under existing PRC laws, regulations or rules, including from the CSRC or any other Chinese agencies that regulate the business operations of LZ Technology or its subsidiaries. However, according to the Trial Measures, we need to complete the relevant filing procedures with the CSRC for this offering and listing. We submitted the required filing materials to the CSRC on August 29, 2023, received comments from the CSRC on September 25, 2023 and submitted responses to such comments on October 28, 2023. Thus, our CSRC filing is still under the CSRC’s review, and we have not obtained the final confirmation from the CSRC regarding the completion of the filing process. We will not complete this offering until we have completed our filing with the CSRC. We may be subject to sanctions if we could not timely and orderly submit the required documents with the CSRC or the documents we file are found to be untrue. Furthermore, the PRC government may take actions to exert more oversight and control over offerings by China based issuers conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in such companies, which could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors outside China and cause the value of our securities to significantly decline or become worthless. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—The CSRC has released rules for China-based companies seeking to conduct initial public offerings in foreign markets with respect to filing procedures to be completed with the CSRC. According to these rules, we expect to perform necessary recordation filings with the CSRC for this offering and future securities offerings outside of China, which will subject us to additional compliance requirements” on page 21, and “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China— The economic, political and social conditions in China could affect our business, results of operations, financial conditions and prospects which could result in a material change in the Company’s operations and/or the value of the Class B Ordinary Shares” on page 20.

 

11

 

 

Transfer of Cash Through Our Organization

 

Cash may be transferred among LZ Technology and its subsidiaries in the following manners: (1) funds may be transferred to LZ Menhu, or the WFOE, from LZ Technology as needed through our subsidiaries in the BVI and/or Hong Kong in the form of capital contribution or shareholder loan, as the case may be; (2) dividends or other distributions may be paid by the WFOE to LZ Technology through our subsidiaries in Hong Kong and the BVI; and (3) our PRC subsidiaries may lend to and borrow from each other from time to time for business operation purposes. LZ Technology, as a holding company with no material operations of its own, its ability to pay dividends and to service any debt it may incur overseas largely depends upon dividends paid by our PRC subsidiaries. If our PRC subsidiaries incur debt on their own behalf in the future, the instruments governing their debt may restrict their ability to pay dividends to LZ Technology. As of the date of this prospectus, no cash flows or transfers of other assets have occurred between LZ Technology, our Cayman Islands holding company, and any of its subsidiaries.

 

Cash from LZ Technology to Subsidiaries. LZ Technology is not prohibited under the laws of the Cayman Islands and its memorandum and articles of association to provide funding to its subsidiaries incorporated in the British Virgin Islands and Hong Kong in the form of loans or capital contributions without restrictions on the amount of the funds provided that LZ Technology remains solvent after the provision of such loans or capital contributions. LZ Technology’s subsidiary formed under the laws of the British Virgin Islands (the “BVI Subsidiary”) is not prohibited under the laws of the British Virgin Islands to provide funding to its subsidiary formed in Hong Kong (the “HK Subsidiary”) in the form of loans or capital contributions, without restrictions on the amount of the funds provided that such subsidiary remains solvent after such loans or capital contributions. LZ Technology, the BVI Subsidiary and the HK Subsidiary are permitted under PRC laws and regulations to provide funding to the PRC subsidiaries in the form of loans or capital contributions, provided that the applicable governmental registration and approval requirements are satisfied.  According to the PRC regulations related to foreign investment and foreign currency, any funds that LZ Technology, the BVI Subsidiary or the HK Subsidiary transfers to our PRC subsidiaries, either as a shareholder loan or as an increase in registered capital, are subject to approval by or registration with relevant governmental authorities in China. According to the PRC regulations on foreign-invested enterprises in China, there are no quantity limits on the ability of LZ Technology, the BVI Subsidiary or the HK Subsidiary to make capital contributions to the WFOE in the form of an increase in registered capital or additional paid-in capital. However, any of our PRC subsidiaries may not procure loans which exceed the difference between its registered capital and its total investment amount as recorded in the Foreign Investment Comprehensive Management Information System from parent companies outside of mainland China. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—PRC regulation of loans to and direct investment in PRC entities by offshore holding companies and currency conversion policies may delay us from using the proceeds of this offering to make loans or additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries, which could materially and adversely affect the Company’s liquidity and the Company’s ability to fund and expand its business” on page 22.

 

Cash from Subsidiaries to LZ Technology.  As a holding company, LZ Technology may rely on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by its subsidiaries for its cash and financing requirements. According to the BVI Business Companies Act 2004 (as amended), the BVI Subsidiary may make dividends distribution to the extent that immediately after the distribution, such company’s assets exceed its liabilities and that such company is able to pay its debts as they fall due. According to the Companies Ordinance of Hong Kong, the HK Subsidiary may only make a distribution out of profits available for distribution. Current PRC regulations permit our PRC subsidiaries to distribute dividends only out of their accumulated profits, and additionally, our PRC subsidiaries are required to set aside at least 10% of its after-tax profits each year, if any, to fund a statutory reserve until such reserve reaches 50% of the company’s registered capital. Funds under such reserve is not distributable as cash dividends except in the event of a solvent liquidation of the companies. The articles of association of each of our PRC subsidiaries contain provisions that incorporate the foregoing legal restrictions on distribution of dividends under PRC regulations. In addition, if any of our subsidiaries incurs debt on its own behalf in the future, the instruments governing such debt may restrict their ability to pay dividends.

 

Under our current corporate structure, LZ Technology may rely on dividend payments from our PRC operating subsidiaries to fund cash and financing requirements it may have, including the funds necessary to pay dividends and other cash distributions to LZ Technology’s shareholders or to service any debt it may incur. Our subsidiaries in the PRC have generated and retained all cash generated from operating activities and re-invested in our business.

 

12

 

 

From time to time, funds were transferred among our PRC subsidiaries for working capital purposes. In China, the transfer of funds among PRC companies are subject to the Provisions of the Supreme People’s Court on Several Issues Concerning the Application of Law in the Trial of Private Lending Cases (the second revision in 2020, the “Provisions on Private Lending Cases”), which was implemented on August 20, 2020 to regulate the financing activities between natural persons, legal persons and unincorporated organizations. The Provisions on Private Lending Cases set forth that private lending contracts will be upheld as invalid under the circumstance that (i) the lender swindles loans from financial institutions for relending; (ii) the lender relends the funds obtained by means of a loan from another profit-making legal person, raising funds from its employees, illegally taking deposits from the public; (iii) the lender who has not obtained the lending qualification according to the law lends money to any unspecified object of the society for the purpose of making profits; (iv) the lender knows or should have known in advance that the borrower’s loan is to be used for criminal activities but still provides the loan to the borrower; (v) the lending is in violation of the mandatory provisions of laws or administrative regulations; or (vi) the lending is against the public order and good morals. As advised by our PRC counsel, Hylands Law Firm, the Provisions on Private Lending Cases do not prohibit using cash generated from one PRC subsidiary to fund another PRC subsidiary’s operations through the way of current lending. We have not been notified of any other restriction which could limit our PRC subsidiaries’ ability to transfer cash among the PRC subsidiaries. Other than complying with the applicable PRC laws and regulations, we currently do not have our own cash management policy and procedures that dictate how funds are transferred. See “Regulations—Regulations Related to Private Lending.

  

As of the date of this prospectus, none of our subsidiaries have ever declared any dividends or made other distributions to LZ Technology or their respective shareholders, nor have LZ Technology or any of our subsidiaries ever paid dividends or made other distributions to U.S. investors. We intend to retain all of our available funds and any future earnings after this offering and cash proceeds from financing activities, including this offering, to fund the development and growth of our business. As a result, we do not expect to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future. See “Dividend Policy” on page 50.

 

In addition, the PRC government imposes controls on the convertibility of the Renminbi into foreign currencies and, in certain cases, the remittance of currency out of China. If the foreign exchange control system in China prevents us from obtaining sufficient foreign currencies to satisfy our foreign currency demands, we may not be able to transfer cash out of China, and pay dividends in foreign currencies to our shareholders. In addition, while there are currently no such restrictions on foreign exchange and our ability to transfer cash or assets among LZ Technology, the BVI Subsidiary and the HK Subsidiary, if relevant PRC regulations change, such funds or assets may not be available due to interventions in or the imposition of restrictions by the PRC government on the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to transfer funds or assets to LZ Technology, directly or through HK Subsidiary and/or BVI Subsidiary, which may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—Currency conversion policies may limit the Company’s ability to utilize the Company’s revenues effectively and affect the value of your investment” on page 25.

 

Recent Regulatory Developments in China

 

Recently, the PRC government initiated a series of actions and statements to regulate business operations in China, including regulation on overseas listing.

 

On February 17, 2023, the CSRC issued the Notice on Filing Arrangements for Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies (the “CSRC Filing Notice”), stating that the CSRC has published the Overseas Listing Rules. The Overseas Listing Rules comprehensively improve and reform the existing regulatory regime for overseas offering and listing of PRC domestic companies’ securities and regulate both direct and indirect overseas offering and listing of PRC domestic companies’ securities.

 

Pursuant to the Overseas Listing Rules, where a PRC domestic company submits an application for initial public offering to competent overseas regulators or overseas stock exchanges, such issuer must file with the CSRC within three business days after such application is submitted. As advised by our PRC counsel, we are required to go through the filing procedures with the CSRC under the Overseas Listing Rules. We will file with the CSRC within the specific time limit as required by the Overseas Listing Rules and seek guidance from the relevant regulator and/or legal advisors to ensure our compliance in all respects. We submitted the required filing materials to the CSRC on August 29, 2023, received comments from the CSRC on September 25, 2023 and submitted responses to such comments on October 28, 2023. Thus, our CSRC filing is still under the CSRC’s review, and we have not obtained the final confirmation from the CSRC regarding the completion of the filing process. We will not complete this offering until we have completed our filing with the CSRC.

 

Recent PCAOB Developments

 

After completion of this offering, the Class B Ordinary Shares may be prohibited from trading on a national exchange under the HFCA Act if the PCAOB is unable to inspect our auditors fully for two consecutive years. Pursuant to the HFCA Act enacted in 2020, if the auditor of a U.S. listed company’s financial statements is not subject to PCAOB inspections for three consecutive “non-inspection” years, the SEC is required to prohibit the securities of such issuer from being traded on a U.S. national securities exchange, such as NYSE and Nasdaq, or in U.S. over-the-counter markets. On December 23, 2022, the U.S. Senate passed the Accelerating Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, and on December 29, 2022, legislation entitled “Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023” was signed into law, which contained, among other things, an identical provision to the Accelerating Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act and amended the HFCA Act by requiring the SEC to prohibit an issuer’s securities from trading on any U.S. stock exchanges if its auditor is not subject to PCAOB inspections for two consecutive years instead of three, thus reducing the time period for triggering the prohibition on trading. The delisting of the Class B Ordinary Shares, or the threat of their being delisted, may materially and adversely affect the value of your investment.

 

13

 

 

Our auditor, Marcum Asia CPAs LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm that issues the audit report included elsewhere in this prospectus, as an auditor of companies that are traded publicly in the United States and a firm registered with the PCAOB, is subject to laws in the United States pursuant to which the PCAOB conducts regular inspections to assess our auditor’s compliance with the applicable professional standards. Our auditor has been inspected by the PCAOB on a regular basis with the last completed inspection in 2020.

 

On December 16, 2021, the PCAOB issued a report on its determinations that it was unable to inspect or investigate completely PCAOB-registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and in Hong Kong, because of positions taken by PRC authorities in those jurisdictions. The PCAOB made its determinations pursuant to PCAOB Rule 6100, which provides a framework for how the PCAOB fulfills its responsibilities under the HFCA Act. The report further listed in its Appendix A and Appendix B, Registered Public Accounting Firms Subject to the mainland China Determination and Registered Public Accounting Firms Subject to the Hong Kong Determination, respectively. Our auditor, Marcum Asia CPAs LLP is headquartered in New York, New York, and did not appear as part of the report and was not listed under its appendix A or appendix B.

 

On August 26, 2022, the CSRC, the MOF, and the PCAOB signed the Protocol governing inspections and investigations of accounting firms based in mainland China and Hong Kong, taking the first step toward opening access for the PCAOB to inspect and investigate registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong. Pursuant to the fact sheet with respect to the Protocol disclosed by the SEC, the PCAOB shall have independent discretion to select any issuer audits for inspection or investigation and has the unfettered ability to transfer information to the SEC. On December 15, 2022, the PCAOB made a statement announcing that it was able, in 2022, to inspect and investigate completely issuer audit engagements of PCAOB-registered public accounting firms headquartered in China and Hong Kong. However, uncertainties still exist as to whether the PCAOB will have continued access for complete inspections and investigations in 2023 and beyond. The PCAOB has also indicated that it will act immediately to consider the need to issue new determinations with the HFCA Act if needed.

 

For more detailed information, see “Risks Related to Doing Business in China—The recent joint statement by the SEC, proposed rule changes submitted by Nasdaq, and acts passed by the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives, all call for additional and more stringent criteria to be applied to U.S.-listed companies with significant operations in China and Hong Kong. These developments could add uncertainties to our listing, future offerings, business operations, share price and reputation” on page 23.

 

Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company

 

We had less than $1.235 billion in annual gross revenue during our last fiscal year. As a result, we qualify as an “emerging growth company” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”) and may take advantage of reduced public reporting requirements. These provisions include, but are not limited to:

 

being permitted to present only two years of audited financial statements and only two years of related Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations;

 

not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements in the assessment of our internal control over financial reporting;

 

reduced disclosure regarding executive compensation in periodic reports, proxy statements and registration statements; and

 

exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.

 

We may take advantage of these provisions until the last day of our fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the date of the first sale of the Class B Ordinary Shares pursuant to this offering. However, if certain events occur before the end of such five-year period, including if we become a “large accelerated filer,” if our annual gross revenues exceed $1.235 billion or if we issue more than $1.0 billion of non-convertible debt in any three-year period, we will cease to be an emerging growth company before the end of such five-year period.

 

Section 107 of the JOBS Act provides that an emerging growth company can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), for complying with new or revised accounting standards.

 

14

 

 

Implications of Being a Foreign Private Issuer

 

Upon consummation of this offering, we will report under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as a non-U.S. company with “foreign private issuer” status. Even after we no longer qualify as an emerging growth company, so long as we qualify as a foreign private issuer under the Exchange Act, we will be exempt from certain provisions of the Exchange Act and the rules thereunder that are applicable to U.S. domestic public companies, including:

 

the rules under the Exchange Act that require U.S. domestic public companies to issue financial statements prepared under U.S. GAAP;

 

sections of the Exchange Act that regulate the solicitation of proxies, consents or authorizations in respect of any securities registered under the Exchange Act;

 

sections of the Exchange Act that require insiders to file public reports of their share ownership and trading activities and that impose liability on insiders who profit from trades made in a short period of time; and

 

the rules under the Exchange Act that require the filing with the SEC of quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, containing unaudited financial and other specified information, and current reports on Form 8-K, upon the occurrence of specified significant events.

 

We will file with the SEC, within four months after the end of each fiscal year (or such other reports required by the SEC), an annual report on Form 20-F containing financial statements audited by an independent registered public accounting firm.

 

We may take advantage of these exemptions until such time as we are no longer a foreign private issuer. We would cease to be a foreign private issuer at such time as more than 50% of our outstanding voting securities are held by U.S. residents and any of the following three circumstances applies: (i) the majority of our executive officers or directors are U.S. citizens or residents, (ii) more than 50% of our assets are located in the United States or (iii) our business is administered principally in the United States.

 

Both foreign private issuers and emerging growth companies are also exempt from certain of the more extensive SEC executive compensation disclosure rules. Therefore, if we no longer qualify as an emerging growth company but remain a foreign private issuer, we will continue to be exempt from such rules and will continue to be permitted to follow our home country practice as to the disclosure of such matters.

 

Implications of Being a Controlled Company

 

Under the Nasdaq Rules, a controlled company is a company of which more than 50% of the voting power for the election of directors is held by an individual, a group or another company. We may be deemed a controlled company because we anticipate that Mr. Andong Zhang will own more than 50% of our voting power following the completion of this offering. For so long as we remain a controlled company, we are exempt from the obligation to comply with certain Nasdaq corporate governance requirements, including:

 

our board of directors is not required to be comprised of a majority of independent directors;

 

our board of directors is not subject to the compensation committee requirement; and

 

we are not subject to the requirement that director nominees be selected either by the independent directors or a nomination committee comprised solely of independent directors.

 

The controlled company exemptions do not apply to the audit committee requirement or the requirement for executive sessions of independent directors. We are required to disclose in our annual report that we are a controlled company and the basis for that determination. Although we do not plan to take advantage of the exemptions provided to controlled companies, we may in the future take advantage of such exemptions. As a result, you will not have the same protection afforded to shareholders of companies that are subject to these corporate governance requirements. For details, see “Risk Factor — Risks Related to This Offering and Ownership of the Class B Ordinary Shares— Upon the completion of this offering, we expect to be a “controlled company” under the rules of Nasdaq and as a result, we may choose to exempt our company from certain corporate governance requirements that could have an adverse effect on our public shareholders.”

 

15

 

 

Dual Class Structure

 

Under our current memorandum and articles of association, we are authorized to issue two classes of ordinary shares, Class A Ordinary Shares and Class B Ordinary Shares. We are authorized to issue (i) 20,000,000 Class A Ordinary Shares, par value $0.0001 per share and (ii) 480,000,000 Class B Ordinary Shares, par value $0.0001 per share. Class A Ordinary Shares are entitled to ten (10) votes per share on proposals requiring or requesting shareholder approval, unless prohibited by law. Class B Ordinary Shares are entitled to one vote per Class B Ordinary Share on any such matter. Pursuant to the Company’s current memorandum and articles of association, Class A Ordinary Shares are not convertible into Class B Ordinary Shares at any time.

 

The post offering memorandum and articles of association will make Class A Ordinary Shares convertible to Class B Ordinary Shares as follows: (i) at the option of the holder of Class A Ordinary Shares without the payment of additional consideration or (ii) automatically upon the transfer of Class A Ordinary Shares, except that the transfer of Class A Ordinary Shares to another holder of Class A Ordinary Shares will not result in such automatic conversion. Class B Ordinary Shares are not convertible into Class A Ordinary Shares. Other than voting and conversion rights, Class A Ordinary Shares and Class B Ordinary Shares have the same rights and preferences and rank equally. The post offering memorandum and articles of association will also change the authorized share capital to comprise: (a) 20,000,000 Class A Ordinary Shares with a par value of $0.0001, (b) 470,000,000 Class B Ordinary Shares with a par value of $0.0001, and (c) 10,000,000 shares with a par value of $0.0001 of such class or classes (however designated) as the Board may determine.

 

In this offering, we are offering Class B Ordinary Shares. Mr. Andong Zhang, our Chairman, owns 9,589,248 Class A Ordinary Shares, which are entitled to ten (10) votes per Class A Ordinary Share. Prior to the commencement of this offering, there will be 9,589,248 Class A Ordinary Shares outstanding which are entitled to 10 votes per Class A Ordinary Share; and 54,282,402 Class B Ordinary Shares outstanding which are entitled to one (1) vote per Class B Ordinary Share. As a result, Mr. Andong Zhang controls approximately 81.70% of the voting power before this offering. Following this offering, taking into consideration the Class B Ordinary Shares expected to be offered hereby, Mr. Andong Zhang will retain controlling voting power in the Company based on having approximately [ ]% of all voting rights. This concentrated control may limit or preclude the ability of others to influence corporate matters including significant business decisions for the foreseeable future.

 

Corporate Information

 

Our principal executive offices are located at Unit 311, Floor 3, No. 5999 Wuxing Avenue, Zhili Town, Wuxing District, Huzhou City, Zhejiang province, People’s Republic of China 313000.

 

LZ Technology’s registered office is currently located at the office of Sertus Incorporations (Cayman) Limited, Sertus Chambers, Governors Square, Suite # 5-204, 23 Lime Tree Bay Avenue, P.O. Box 2547, Grand Cayman, KY1-1104, Cayman Islands, which may be changed from time to time at the discretion of directors.

 

LZ Technology’s agent for service of process in the United States is Cogency Global Inc., located at 122 East 42nd Street, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10168. 

 

Our website can be found at http://lz-qs.com/. The information contained on our website is not a part of this prospectus, nor is such content incorporated by reference herein, and should not be relied upon in determining whether to make an investment in the Class B Ordinary Shares.

 

16

 

 

The Offering

 

Shares offered

  [  ] Class B Ordinary Shares (or [  ] Class B Ordinary Shares if the underwriter exercises the over-allotment option in full).
     
Offering price   We currently estimate that the initial public offering price will be between $[  ] and $[  ] per share.
     
Ordinary Shares outstanding before this offering   9,589,248 Class A Ordinary Shares and 54,282,402 Class B Ordinary Shares. Our Class A Ordinary Shares will become convertible at the option of the holder into Class B Ordinary Shares on a 1:1 basis following this offering and are entitled to ten (10) votes per share. See “Description of Share Capital” for more information. See “Description of Share Capital” for more information.
     
Ordinary Shares outstanding immediately after this offering   9,589,248 Class A Ordinary Shares and [    ] Class B Ordinary Shares (or [    ] Class B Ordinary Shares if the underwriters exercise the over-allotment option in full).
     
Over-allotment option   We have granted to the underwriter a 45-day option to purchase up to an additional 15.0% of the Class B Ordinary Shares sold in the offering (up to [     ] additional shares) at the initial public offering price, less the underwriting discounts.
     
Use of proceeds  

We expect to receive net proceeds of approximately $[  ] million from this offering, assuming an initial public offering price of $[  ] per ordinary share, being the midpoint of the estimated initial public offering price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, and no exercise of the underwriter’s over-allotment option, after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

 

We plan to use the net proceeds of this offering for, among others, research and development, international expansions, strategic acquisitions, marketing efforts and working capital. See “Use of Proceeds” for more information on the use of proceeds.

     
Risk factors   Investing in the Class B Ordinary Shares involves risks and purchasers of the Class B Ordinary Shares may lose part or all of their investment. See “Risk Factors” for a discussion of factors you should carefully consider before deciding to invest in the Class B Ordinary Shares.
     
Lock-up   We, our directors and executive officers and any holder(s) of the outstanding Ordinary Shares are expected to enter into lock-up agreements with the underwriters to agree not to sell, transfer or dispose of any Ordinary Shares, without the underwriters’ prior written consent, for a period starting on the day of this prospectus until 180 days after the closing of this offering. See “Underwriting.”
     
Proposed trading market and symbol  

We have applied to list the Class B Ordinary Shares on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “LZMH.” At this time, Nasdaq has not yet approved our application to list our Class B Ordinary Shares. The closing of this offering is conditioned upon Nasdaq’s final approval of our listing application, and there is no guarantee or assurance that our Class B Ordinary Shares will be approved for listing on Nasdaq.

 

17

 

 

Summary Consolidated Financial Information

 

The following summary historical financial information should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in the prospectus and the information contained in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” below.

 

The following summary consolidated financial data as of December 31, 2021 and 2022 and for the years then ended have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The following summary consolidated financial data as of June 30, 2022 and 2023 and for the six months then ended have been derived from our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

Our financial statements are prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Our historical results for any period are not necessarily indicative of our future performance.

 

   For the Year Ended December 31,   For the Six Months Ended June 30, 
   2021   2022   2022   2023 
   RMB   RMB   US$   RMB   RMB   US$ 
   (in thousands, except share and per share data) 
Statements of Income Data                        
Total revenue   81,045    162,952    22,472    42,184    190,286    26,242 
Total cost of revenue   (70,026)   (143,100)   (19,734)   (35,335)   (172,812)   (23,832)
Total operating expenses   (25,340)   (41,835)   (5,769)   (16,370)   (17,059)   (2,356)
Income from operations   (14,321)   (21,983)   (3,031)   (9,521)   415    54 
Total other (expenses)/income, net   (34,129)   7,186    991    529    1,844    254 
Loss before income taxes   (48,450)   (14,797)   (2,040)   (8,992)   2,259    308 
Income tax expense   (8)   -    -    (1)   (926)   (128)
Net loss   (48,458)   (14,797)   (2,040)   (8,993)   1,333    180 
Earnings per ordinary share                              
Basic and diluted   (0.78)   (0.23)   (0.03)   (0.14)   0.02    0.00 
Weighted average Class B Ordinary Shares outstanding                              
Basic and diluted   (0.78)   (0.23)   (0.03)   (0.14)   0.02    0.00 

 

   As of December 31,   As of June 30, 
   2021   2022   2023 
   RMB   RMB   US$   RMB   US$ 
   (in thousands) 
Balance Sheet Data:                         
Cash and cash equivalents   5,134    6,982    963    18,393    2,537 
Current Assets   96,973    84,227    11,615    193,311    26,659 
Total assets   140,470    122,474    16,890    227,244    31,338 
Current liabilities   169,675    107,598    14,839    197,034    27,173 
Total liabilities   169,889    107,598    14,839    197,034    27,173 
Shareholders’ (deficit)/equity   (29,419)   14,876    2,051    30,210    4,165 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity   140,470    122,474    16,890    227,244    31,338 

 

18

 

 

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This prospectus contains forward-looking statements that are based on our management’s beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to us. All statements other than statements of historical facts are forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are contained principally in, but not limited to, the sections entitled “Prospectus Summary,” “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Business.” These statements relate to future events or to our future financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about:

 

our goals and strategies;

 

our future business development, financial condition and results of operations;

 

expected changes in our revenue, costs or expenditure;

 

our expectations regarding demand for and market acceptance of our products and services;

 

competition in our industry; and

 

government policies and regulations relating to our industry.

 

In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as “may,” “could,” “will,” “should,” “would,” “expect,” “plan,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “project” or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. These statements are only predictions. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which are, in some cases, beyond our control and which could materially affect results. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things, those listed under the heading “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this prospectus. If one or more of these risks or uncertainties occur, or if our underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual events or results may vary significantly from those implied or projected by the forward-looking statements. No forward-looking statement is a guarantee of future performance.

 

This prospectus also contains certain data and information, which we obtained from various government and private publications. Although we believe that the publications and reports are reliable, we have not independently verified the data. Statistical data in these publications includes projections that are based on a number of assumptions. If any one or more of the assumptions underlying the market data is later found to be incorrect, actual results may differ from the projections based on these assumptions.

 

The forward-looking statements made in this prospectus relate only to events or information as of the date on which the statements are made in this prospectus. Although we will become a public company after this offering and have ongoing disclosure obligations under United States federal securities laws, we do not intend to update or otherwise revise the forward-looking statements in this prospectus, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

19

 

 

RISK FACTORS

 

The Class B Ordinary Shares being offered under this prospectus are highly speculative in nature, involve a high degree of risk and should be purchased only by persons who can afford to lose the entire amount invested. Before purchasing any of the Class B Ordinary Shares, you should carefully consider the following factors relating to the Company’s business and prospects. You should pay particular attention to the fact that the Company conducts substantially all of its operations outside the U.S. and is governed by legal and regulatory environments that in some respects differ significantly from the environment that may prevail in the U.S. If any of the following risks actually occurs, the Company’s business, financial condition or operating results will suffer, the trading price of the Class B Ordinary Shares could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment.

 

Risks Related to Doing Business in China

 

The economic, political and social conditions in China could affect our business, results of operations, financial conditions and prospects which could result in a material change in the Company’s operations and/or the value of the Class B Ordinary Shares.

 

All of the Company’s revenue has been derived from its businesses in China so far. Accordingly, the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects are, to a material extent, subject to economic, political, and legal developments in China. In particular, factors such as consumer, corporate and government spending, business investment, level of economic development, and resource allocation could affect the growth of the Company’s business.

 

The PRC economy has experienced significant growth over the past decades since the implementation of China’s reform and opening-up policy. In recent years, the PRC government has implemented measures emphasizing the utilization of market forces in economic reform and the establishment of sound corporate governance practices in business enterprises. These economic reform measures may be adaptively adjusted from industry to industry or across different regions of the country. If the business environment in China changes, the Company’s business in China may also be materially and adversely affected.

 

The development of the PRC legal system and changes in the interpretation and enforcement of PRC laws, regulations and policies in China could adversely affect us.

 

Substantially all of the Company’s assets and operations are located in the PRC. The PRC legal system is based on written statutes. Since the late 1970s, the PRC government has promulgated laws and regulations dealing with economic matters, such as foreign investment, corporate organization and governance, commerce, taxation and trade, with a view towards developing a comprehensive system of commercial law. However, as many of these laws and regulations are relatively new and continue to evolve, these laws and regulations may be subject to different interpretations. Like other civil law countries, there is a limited volume of published court decisions, which may be cited for reference but are not binding on subsequent cases and have limited precedential value unless the Supreme People’s Court of China otherwise provides. As these laws and regulations are continually evolving in response to the economic development and other conditions, the interpretation and implementation of PRC laws and regulations may adversely affect the legal protections and remedies that are available to investors and us.

 

20

 

 

The CSRC has released rules for China-based companies seeking to conduct initial public offerings in foreign markets with respect to filing procedures to be completed with the CSRC. According to these rules, we expect to perform necessary recordation filings with the CSRC for this offering and future securities offerings outside of China, which will subject us to additional compliance requirements.

 

On February 17, 2023, the CSRC published the Overseas Listing Rules to provide explanation and instructions which became effective on March 31, 2023. These rules lay out filing procedures for domestic companies to record both direct and indirect overseas listings with the CSRC. If a domestic enterprise intends to indirectly offer and list securities in an overseas market, the filing obligation falls on a major operating entity incorporated in the PRC and such filing shall be submitted within three business days after the overseas listing application is initially filed. The required materials with respect to an initial public offering and listing overseas to be submitted to the CSRC shall include, among other things, a completed report and related undertakings; regulatory opinions, recordation receipt, approval notice and other documents issued by competent regulatory authorities of relevant industries (if applicable); security assessment opinion issued by relevant regulatory authorities (if applicable); PRC legal opinion; and prospectus for the offering.

 

In addition, an overseas offering and listing is prohibited under any of the following circumstances: (1) if the intended securities offering and listing is specifically prohibited by national laws and regulations and relevant provisions; (2) if the intended securities offering and listing may constitute a threat to or endangers national security as reviewed and determined by competent authorities under the State Council in accordance with law; (3) if there are material ownership disputes over the equity, major assets, and core technology, etc. of the issuer; (4) if, in the past three years, the domestic enterprise or its controlling shareholders or actual controllers have committed corruption, bribery, embezzlement, misappropriation of property, or other criminal offenses disruptive to the order of the socialist market economy, or are currently under judicial investigation for suspicion of criminal offenses, or are under investigation for suspicion of major violations; (5) if, in past three years, directors, supervisors, or senior executives have been subject to administrative punishments for severe violations, or are currently under judicial investigation for suspicion of criminal offenses, or are under investigation for suspicion of major violations; (6) other circumstances as prescribed by the State Council. The Trial Measures provide for the legal liabilities for breaches such as failure in fulfilling filing obligations or fraudulent filing conducts, which include imposing a fine between RMB1 million and RMB10 million, and in cases of severe violations, a parallel order to suspend relevant business operations for rectification, revoke relevant business permits or operational license.

 

According to the Trial Measures, we expect to perform necessary recordation filings with the CSRC for this offering and future securities offerings outside of China, which will subject us to additional compliance requirements. We cannot assure you that we will be able to get the clearance of the filing procedures under the Trial Measures on a timely basis, or at all. We submitted the required filing materials to the CSRC on August 29, 2023, received comments from the CSRC on September 25, 2023 and submitted responses to such comments on October 28, 2023. Thus, our CSRC filing is still under the CSRC’s review, and we have not obtained the final confirmation from the CSRC regarding the completion of the filing process. However, we will not complete this offering until we have completed our filing with the CSRC. Any failure of the Company to fully comply with new regulatory requirements may significantly limit or completely hinder LZ Technology’s ability to offer or continue to offer its securities, cause significant disruption to our business operations, and severely damage our reputation, which would materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations and cause the Class B Ordinary Shares to significantly decline in value or become worthless.

 

LZ Technology may rely on dividends and other distributions on equity from our PRC subsidiaries for its cash requirements.

 

Our Cayman Islands holding company, LZ Technology, has no material assets other than ownership of equity interests in its subsidiaries. As a result, it has no independent means of generating revenue and may rely on dividends and other distributions on equity from our PRC operating subsidiaries for its cash requirements. Our PRC subsidiaries’ ability to distribute dividends is based upon their distributable earnings. Current PRC regulations permit our PRC subsidiaries to pay dividends to their respective shareholders only out of their accumulated profits, if any, determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. In addition, each of our PRC subsidiaries, as a Foreign Invested Enterprise, or FIE, is required to draw 10% of its after-tax profits each year, if any, to fund a common reserve, which may stop drawing its after-tax profits if the aggregate balance of the common reserve has already accounted for over 50 percent of its registered capital. These reserves are not distributable as cash dividends. If our PRC subsidiaries incur debt on their own behalf in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict their ability to pay dividends or make other payments to us. Any limitation on the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to distribute dividends or other payments to their respective shareholders could materially and adversely limit the Company’s ability to grow, make investments or acquisitions that could be beneficial to the Company’s business, pay dividends or otherwise fund and conduct the Company’s business.

 

In addition, the Enterprise Income Tax Law and its implementation rules provide that a withholding tax rate of up to 10% will be applicable to dividends payable by PRC companies to non-PRC-resident enterprises unless otherwise exempted or reduced according to treaties or arrangements between the PRC central government and governments of other countries or regions where the non-PRC resident enterprises are incorporated.

 

21

 

 

Non-compliance with labor-related laws and regulations of the PRC may have an adverse impact on the Company’s financial condition and results of operation.

 

Our PRC subsidiaries have been subject to stricter regulatory requirements in terms of entering into labor contracts with their employees and paying various statutory employee benefits, including pensions, housing fund, medical insurance, work-related injury insurance, unemployment insurance and childbearing insurance to designated government agencies for the benefit of their employees.

 

Pursuant to the PRC Labor Contract Law, or the Labor Contract Law, that became effective in January 2008 and its implementing rules that became effective in September 2008 and was amended in July 2013, employers are subject to stricter requirements in terms of signing labor contracts, minimum wages, paying remuneration, determining the term of employees’ probation and unilaterally terminating labor contracts. In the event that the Company decides to terminate some of its employees or otherwise change the Company’s employment or labor practices, the Labor Contract Law and its implementation rules may limit the Company’s ability to effect those changes in a desirable or cost-effective manner, which could adversely affect the Company’s business and results of operations.

 

We cannot assure you that the Company’s employment practice will not violate labor-related laws and regulations in China, which may subject the Company to labor disputes or government investigations. If the Company is deemed to have violated relevant labor laws and regulations, the Company could be required to provide additional compensation to its employees and the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

 

Our failure to make adequate contributions to various employee benefit plans as required by PRC regulations may subject our PRC subsidiaries to penalties.

 

Companies operating in China are required to participate in various government-mandated employee benefit contribution plans, including certain social insurance, housing funds and other welfare-oriented payment obligations, and contribute to the plans in amounts equal to certain percentages of salaries, including bonuses and allowances, of their employees up to a maximum amount specified by the local government from time to time. The requirement of employee benefit contribution plans has not been implemented consistently by the local governments in China given the different levels of economic development in different locations. Pursuant to the PRC Social Insurance Law, if an employer fails to make full and timely contributions to social insurance, the relevant enforcement agency shall order the employer to make all outstanding contributions within five days of such order and impose penalties equal to 0.05% of the total outstanding amount for each additional day such contributions are overdue. If the employer fails to make all outstanding contributions within five days of such order, the relevant enforcement agency may impose penalties equal to one to three times the amount overdue.

 

As of the date of this prospectus, the Company’s PRC subsidiaries are paying adequate social insurance contributions for all of their employees, either through third-party human resource service companies or by themselves directly, but have not paid sufficient housing fund contributions. We estimate that the outstanding housing fund contributions amounted to approximately RMB38,131, RMB73,937 (approximately $ 10,196) and RMB26,407 (approximately $3,642)    for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, and the six months ended June 30, 2023, respectively. As of the date of this prospectus, none of the Company’s PRC subsidiaries have received any complaints, claims, actions or reports from their employees regarding any non-compliance with PRC social insurance and housing fund regulations, nor have they received any notification from the PRC governmental authorities requiring them to pay any outstanding amount of contributions. Our management considers the likelihood that our PRC subsidiaries will be required by the PRC governmental authorities to make additional payment for the underpaid contributions is low. If the Company is subject to fines in relation to the underpaid employee benefits, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company may be adversely affected.

 

PRC regulation of loans to and direct investment in PRC entities by offshore holding companies and currency conversion policies may delay us from using the proceeds of this offering to make loans or additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries, which could materially and adversely affect the Company’s liquidity and the Company’s ability to fund and expand its business.

 

Any funds LZ Technology transfers to our PRC subsidiaries, either as a shareholder loan or as an increase in registered capital, are subject to approval by or registration with relevant governmental authorities in China. According to the relevant PRC regulations on foreign-invested enterprises, or FIEs, in China, capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries are subject to the approval of or filing with the Ministry of Commerce, or MOFCOM or its local branches and registration with a local bank authorized by the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, or SAFE. In addition, (i) a foreign loan of less one year duration procured by a PRC company is required to be registered with SAFE or its local branches and (ii) a foreign loan of one year duration or more procured by a PRC company is required to be applied to the NDRC in advance for undergoing recordation registration procedures. Any medium or long-term loan to be provided by us to our PRC operating subsidiaries, must be registered with the NDRC and the SAFE or its local branches. We may not be able to complete such registrations on a timely basis, with respect to future capital contributions or foreign loans by LZ Technology to our PRC Subsidiaries. If we fail to complete such registrations, the Company’s ability to use the proceeds of this offering and to capitalize its PRC operations may be negatively affected, which could adversely affect the Company’s liquidity and the Company’s ability to fund and expand the Company’s business.

 

22

 

 

On March 30, 2015, the SAFE promulgated the Circular on Reforming the Management Approach Regarding the Foreign Exchange Capital Settlement of Foreign-Invested Enterprises, or SAFE Circular 19, which took effect as of June 1, 2015. SAFE Circular 19 launched a nationwide reform of the administration of the settlement of the foreign exchange capitals of FIEs and allows FIEs to settle their foreign exchange capital at their discretion, but continues to prohibit FIEs from using the Renminbi fund converted from their foreign exchange capital for expenditure beyond their business scopes, providing entrusted loans or repaying loans between nonfinancial enterprises. The SAFE issued the Circular on Reforming and Regulating Policies on the Control over Foreign Exchange Settlement of Capital Accounts, or SAFE Circular 16, effective in June 2016. Pursuant to SAFE Circular 16, enterprises registered in China may also convert their foreign debts from foreign currency to Renminbi on a self-discretionary basis. SAFE Circular 16 provides an integrated standard for conversion of foreign exchange under capital account items (including but not limited to foreign currency capital and foreign debts) on a self-discretionary basis which applies to all enterprises registered in China. SAFE Circular 16 reiterates the principle that Renminbi converted from foreign currency-denominated capital of a company may not be directly or indirectly used for purposes beyond its business scope or prohibited by PRC laws or regulations, while such converted Renminbi shall not be provided as loans to its non-affiliated entities. There remains uncertainty as to its interpretation and application and any other future foreign exchange related rules. Violations of these Circulars could result in severe monetary or other penalties. SAFE Circular 19 and SAFE Circular 16 may significantly limit the Company’s ability to use Renminbi converted from the net proceeds of this offering to fund its PRC operating subsidiaries, to invest in or acquire any other PRC companies through the Company’s PRC Subsidiaries, which may adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

The recent joint statement by the SEC, proposed rule changes submitted by Nasdaq, and acts passed by the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives, all call for additional and more stringent criteria to be applied to U.S.-listed companies with significant operations in China. These developments could add uncertainties to our listing, future offerings, business operations, share price and reputation.

 

U.S. public companies that have substantially all of their operations in China have been the subject of intense scrutiny, criticism and negative publicity by investors, financial commentators and regulatory agencies, such as the SEC. Much of the scrutiny, criticism and negative publicity has centered on financial and accounting irregularities and mistakes, a lack of effective internal controls over financial accounting, inadequate corporate governance policies or a lack of adherence thereto and, in many cases, allegations of fraud.

 

On May 20, 2020, the U.S. Senate passed the HFCA Act requiring a foreign company to certify it is not owned or controlled by a foreign government if the PCAOB is unable to audit specified reports because the company uses a foreign auditor not subject to PCAOB inspection. In addition, if the PCAOB is unable to inspect the company’s auditors for three consecutive years, the issuer’s securities are prohibited to trade on a national exchange. On December 2, 2020, the U.S. House of Representatives approved the HFCA Act and it was signed into law on December 18, 2020.

 

On May 21, 2021, Nasdaq filed three proposals with the SEC to (i) apply minimum offering size requirement for companies primarily operating in a “Restrictive Market”, (ii) prohibit Restrictive Market companies from directly listing on Nasdaq Capital Market, and only permit them to list on Nasdaq Global Select or Nasdaq Global Market in connection with a direct listing and (iii) apply additional and more stringent criteria to an applicant or listed company based on the qualifications of the company’s auditors.

 

On June 22, 2021, the U.S. Senate passed the Accelerating Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act (the “AHFCA Act”), which, if enacted, would amend the HFCA Act and require the SEC to prohibit an issuer’s securities from trading on any U.S. stock exchanges if its audit work cannot be inspected when its auditor is subject to PCAOB inspections for two consecutive years instead of three and, thus, would reduce the time before the Class B Ordinary Shares may be prohibited from trading or delisted. On December 23, 2022, the U.S. Senate passed the Accelerating Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, and on December 29, 2022, legislation entitled “Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023” was signed into law by President Biden, which contained, among other things, an identical provision to the Accelerating Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act and amended the HFCA Act by requiring the SEC to prohibit an issuer’s securities from trading on any U.S. stock exchanges if its auditor is not subject to PCAOB inspections for two consecutive years instead of three, thus reducing the time period for triggering the prohibition on trading.

 

23

 

 

On September 22, 2021, the PCAOB adopted a final rule implementing the HFCA Act, which provides a framework for the PCAOB to use when determining, as contemplated under the HFCA Act, whether the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate completely registered public accounting firms located in a foreign jurisdiction because of a position taken by one or more authorities in that jurisdiction.

 

On December 2, 2021, the SEC adopted amendments to finalize rules implementing the submission and disclosure requirements in the HFCA Act. The rules apply to registrants the SEC identifies as having filed an annual report with an audit report issued by a registered public accounting firm that is located in a foreign jurisdiction and that the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate (“Commission-Identified Issuers”). The final amendments require Commission-Identified Issuers to submit documentation to the SEC establishing that, if true, it is not owned or controlled by a governmental entity in the public accounting firm’s foreign jurisdiction. The amendments also require that a Commission-Identified Issuer that is a “foreign issuer,” as defined in Exchange Act Rule 3b-4, provide certain additional disclosures in its annual report for itself and any of its consolidated foreign operating entities. A Commission-Identified Issuer will be required to comply with the submission and disclosure requirements in the annual report for each year in which it was identified.

 

On December 16, 2021, pursuant to the HFCA Act, the PCAOB issued a Determination Report which found that the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate completely registered public accounting firms headquartered in the PRC and Hong Kong, because of a position taken by one or more authorities in such jurisdictions. Such determinations were vacated by the PCAOB on December 15, 2022.

 

Our current registered public accounting firm, Marcum Asia CPAs LLP, is not headquartered in the PRC or Hong Kong, is a U.S.-based accounting firm that is registered with the PCAOB and can be inspected by the PCAOB, and was not listed in the Determination Report. We have no current intention of engaging any auditor not based in the U.S. and not subject to regular inspection by the PCAOB.

 

On August 26, 2022, CSRC, the MOF, and the PCAOB signed the Protocol, governing inspections and investigations of audit firms based in China and Hong Kong. The Protocol remains unpublished and is subject to further explanation and implementation. Pursuant to the fact sheet with respect to the Protocol disclosed by the SEC, the PCAOB shall have independent discretion to select any issuer audits for inspection or investigation and has the unfettered ability to transfer information to the SEC. On December 15, 2022, the PCAOB made a statement announcing that it was able, in 2022, to inspect and investigate completely issuer audit engagements of PCAOB-registered public accounting firms headquartered in China and Hong Kong.

 

Uncertainties still exist as to whether the PCAOB will have continued access for complete inspections and investigations in 2023 and beyond. The PCAOB is expected to continue to demand complete access to inspections and investigations against accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong in the future and states that it has already made plans to resume regular inspections in early 2023 and beyond. Each year, the PCAOB will determine whether it can inspect and investigate completely accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong. Our securities may be prohibited from trading if our auditor cannot be fully inspected. While the Company’s auditor is based in the U.S. and is registered with PCAOB and subject to PCAOB inspection, in the event it is later determined that the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate completely the Company’s auditor because of a position taken by an authority in a foreign jurisdiction, then such inability could cause trading in the Company’s securities to be prohibited under the HFCA Act, as amended, and ultimately result in a determination by a securities exchange to delist the Company’s securities. A termination of the trading of our securities or any restriction on the trading in our securities would have a negative impact on the Company as well as on the value of our securities.

 

The market price of the Class B Ordinary Shares could be adversely affected as a result of anticipated negative impacts of these executive or legislative actions, regardless of whether these executive or legislative actions are implemented and regardless of our actual operating performance.

 

Fluctuations in exchange rates could have a material and adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations and the value of your investment.

 

The value of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar and other currencies may fluctuate and is affected by, among other things, changes in political and economic conditions and the foreign exchange policy adopted by the PRC government. It is difficult to predict when and how the exchange rates between the RMB and the U.S. dollar may change. All of the Company’s revenues and substantially all of the Company’s costs are denominated in Renminbi. We rely on dividends paid by our operating subsidiaries in China for our cash needs. Any significant revaluation of Renminbi may materially and adversely affect the Company’s results of operations and financial position reported in Renminbi when translated into U.S. dollars, and the value of, and any dividends payable on, the Class B Ordinary Shares in U.S. dollars. To the extent that we need to convert U.S. dollars into Renminbi for the Company’s operations, appreciation of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar would have an adverse effect on the Renminbi amount we would receive. Conversely, if we decide to convert the Company’s Renminbi into U.S. dollars for the purpose of making payments for dividends on the Class B Ordinary Shares to our shareholders or for other business purposes, appreciation of the U.S. dollar against the Renminbi would have a negative effect on the U.S. dollar amount.

 

24

 

 

Currency conversion policies may limit the Company’s ability to utilize the Company’s revenues effectively and affect the value of your investment.

 

The PRC government imposes controls on the convertibility of the Renminbi into foreign currencies and, in certain cases, the remittance of currency out of China. The Company generates substantially all of its revenues in Renminbi. Under the Company’s current corporate structure, we primarily rely on dividend payments from our PRC subsidiaries to fund any cash and financing requirements we may have. Under existing PRC foreign exchange regulations, payments of current account items, including profit distributions, interest payments and trade and service-related foreign exchange transactions, can be made in foreign currencies without prior approval of SAFE by complying with certain procedural requirements. Specifically, under the existing exchange restrictions, without prior approval of SAFE, cash generated from the operations of our PRC subsidiaries in China may be used to pay dividends to us. However, approval from or registration with appropriate government authorities is required, in principle, where RMB is to be converted into foreign currency and remitted out of China to pay capital expenses such as the repayment of loans denominated in foreign currencies. As a result, our PRC subsidiaries need to obtain SAFE approval to use cash generated from their operations to pay off their respective debt in a currency other than Renminbi owed to entities outside of China, or to make other capital expenditure payments outside of China in a currency other than Renminbi. If the foreign exchange control system prevents our PRC subsidiaries from obtaining sufficient foreign currency, we may not be able to pay dividends in US dollars to our shareholders, including holders of the Class B Ordinary Shares.

 

Certain PRC regulations may make it more difficult for the Company to pursue growth through acquisitions.

 

Among other things, the Regulations on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors (“M&A Rules”) and Anti-Monopoly Law of the People’s Republic of China promulgated by the Standing Committee of the NPC which became effective in 2008 and latest revised in 2022 (“Anti-Monopoly Law”), established additional procedures and requirements that could make merger and acquisition activities by non-Chinese investors more time-consuming and complex. Such regulation requires, among other things, that State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) be notified in advance of any change-of-control transaction in which a non-Chinese investor acquires control of a PRC domestic enterprise or a foreign company with substantial PRC operations, if certain thresholds under the Provisions of the State Council on the Standard for Declaration of Concentration of Business Operators, issued by the State Council in 2008, are triggered. Moreover, the Anti-Monopoly Law of China requires that transactions which involve the national security, the examination on the national security shall also be conducted according to the relevant provisions. In addition, PRC Measures for the Security Review of Foreign Investment which became effective in January 2021 require acquisitions by non-Chinese investors of PRC companies engaged in military-related or certain other industries that are crucial to national security be subject to security review before consummation of any such acquisition. The Company may pursue potential strategic acquisitions that are complementary to the Company’s business and operations.

 

Complying with the requirements of these regulations to complete such transactions could be time-consuming, and any required approval processes, including obtaining approval or clearance from the MOFCOM, may delay or inhibit the Company’s ability to complete such transactions, which could affect the Company’s ability to expand the Company’s business or maintain the Company’s market share.

  

U.S. regulatory bodies may be limited in their ability to conduct investigations or inspections of the Company’s operations in China.

 

Any disclosure of documents or information located in China by foreign agencies may be subject to jurisdiction constraints and must comply with China’s state secrecy laws, which broadly define the scope of “state secrets” to include matters involving economic interests and technologies. There is no guarantee that requests from U.S. federal or state regulators or agencies to investigate or inspect the Company’s operations in China will be honored by the Company, by entities who provide services to the Company or with whom the Company associates, without violating PRC legal requirements, especially as those entities are located in China. Furthermore, under the current PRC laws, an on-site inspection of the Company’s facilities in China by any of these regulators may be limited or prohibited.

 

25

 

 

If we are classified as a PRC resident enterprise for PRC income tax purposes, such classification could result in unfavorable tax consequences to us and our non-PRC shareholders.

 

Under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law and its implementation rules, an enterprise established outside of the PRC with its “de facto management body” within the PRC is considered a “resident enterprise” and will be subject to the enterprise income tax on its global income at the rate of 25%. The implementation rules define the term “de facto management body” as the body that exercises full and substantial control and overall management over the business, productions, personnel, accounts and properties of an enterprise. In 2009, the State Administration of Taxation, or SAT, issued a circular, known as SAT Circular 82, which provides certain specific criteria for determining whether the “de facto management body” of a PRC-controlled enterprise that is incorporated offshore is located in China. Although this circular applies only to offshore enterprises controlled by PRC enterprises or PRC enterprise groups, not those controlled by PRC individuals or foreigners, the criteria set forth in the circular may reflect the SAT’s general position on how the “de facto management body” text should be applied in determining the tax resident status of all offshore enterprises. According to SAT Circular 82, an offshore incorporated enterprise controlled by a PRC enterprise or a PRC enterprise group will be regarded as a PRC tax resident by virtue of having its “de facto management body” in China, and will be subject to PRC enterprise income tax on its global income only if all of the following conditions are met: (i) the primary location of the day-to-day operational management is in the PRC; (ii) decisions relating to the enterprise’s financial and human resource matters are made or are subject to approval by organizations or personnel in the PRC; (iii) the enterprise’s primary assets, accounting books and records, company seals, and board and shareholder resolutions are located or maintained in the PRC; and (iv) at least 50% of voting board members or senior executives habitually reside in the PRC. 

 

We believe that our company is not a PRC resident enterprise for PRC tax purposes. However, the tax resident status of an enterprise is subject to determination by the PRC tax authorities and uncertainties remain with respect to the interpretation of the term “de facto management body.” If the PRC tax authorities determine that our company is a PRC resident enterprise for enterprise income tax purposes, we would be subject to PRC enterprise income on the Company’s worldwide income at the rate of 25%. Furthermore, we would be required to withhold a 10% tax from dividends we pay to our shareholders that are non-PRC-resident enterprises. In addition, non-PRC-resident enterprise shareholders (including holders of the Class B Ordinary Shares) may be subject to PRC tax on gains realized on the sale or other disposition of the Class B Ordinary Shares, if such income is treated as sourced from within the PRC. Furthermore, if we are deemed a PRC resident enterprise, dividends paid to our non-PRC individual shareholders (including holders of the Class B Ordinary Shares) and any gain realized on the transfer of the Class B Ordinary Shares by such shareholders may be subject to PRC tax at a rate of 20% (which, in the case of dividends, may be withheld at source by us). These rates may be reduced by an applicable tax treaty, but it is unclear whether non-PRC shareholders of our company would be able to claim the benefits of any tax treaties between their country of tax residence and the PRC in the event that we are treated as a PRC resident enterprise. Any such tax may reduce the returns on your investment in the Class B Ordinary Shares.

 

We face uncertainty with respect to indirect transfers of equity interests in PRC resident enterprises by their non-PRC holding companies.

 

On February 3, 2015, the SAT issued the Public Notice Regarding Certain Corporate Income Tax Matters on Indirect Transfer of Properties by Non-Tax Resident Enterprises, or SAT Bulletin 7. SAT Bulletin 7 extends its tax jurisdiction to transactions involving the transfer of taxable assets through offshore transfer of a foreign intermediate holding company. In addition, SAT Bulletin 7 has introduced safe harbors for internal group restructurings and the purchase and sale of equity through a public securities market. SAT Bulletin 7 also brings challenges to both foreign transferor and transferee (or other person who is obligated to pay for the transfer) of taxable assets, as such persons need to determine whether their transactions are subject to these rules and whether any withholding obligation applies.

 

On October 17, 2017, the SAT issued the Announcement of the State Administration of Taxation on Issues Concerning the Withholding of Non-resident Enterprise Income Tax at Source, or SAT Bulletin 37, which came into effect on December 1, 2017. The SAT Bulletin 37 further clarifies the practice and procedure of the withholding of non-resident enterprise income tax.

 

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Where a non-resident enterprise transfers taxable assets indirectly by disposing of the equity interests of an overseas holding company, which is an “Indirect Transfer”, the non-resident enterprise as either transferor or transferee, or the PRC entity that directly owns the taxable assets, may report such Indirect Transfer to the relevant tax authority. Using a “substance over form” principle, the PRC tax authority may disregard the existence of the overseas holding company if it lacks a reasonable commercial purpose and was established for the purpose of reducing, avoiding or deferring PRC tax. As a result, gains derived from such Indirect Transfer may be subject to PRC enterprise income tax, and the transferee or other person who pays for the transfer is obligated to withhold the applicable taxes currently at a rate of 10% for the transfer of equity interests in a PRC resident enterprise. Both the transferor and the transferee may be subject to penalties under PRC tax laws if the transferee fails to withhold the taxes and the transferor fails to pay the taxes.

 

We face uncertainties as to the reporting and other implications of certain past and future transactions where PRC taxable assets are involved, such as offshore restructuring. We may be subject to filing obligations or taxed if we are the transferor in such transactions, and may be subject to withholding obligations if we are the transferee in such transactions, under SAT Bulletin 7 and/or SAT Bulletin 37. For transfer of shares in us by investors who are non-PRC resident enterprises, our PRC subsidiaries may be requested to assist in the filing under SAT Bulletin 7 and/or SAT Bulletin 37. As a result, the Company may be required to expend valuable resources to comply with SAT Bulletin 7 and/or SAT Bulletin 37 or to request the relevant transferors from whom we purchase taxable assets to comply with these circulars, or to establish that the Company should not be taxed under these circulars, which may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. 

 

The approval of the China Securities Regulatory Commission may be required in connection with this offering under the M&A Rules.

 

The M&A Rules requires an overseas special purpose vehicle formed for listing purposes through acquisitions of PRC domestic companies and controlled by PRC companies or individuals to obtain the approval of the CSRC, prior to the listing and trading of such special purpose vehicle’s securities on an overseas stock exchange. On September 21, 2006, the CSRC published on its official website procedures regarding its approval of overseas listings by special purpose vehicles. However, the interpretation and application of the regulations remain unclear. If CSRC approval is required, it is uncertain whether it would be possible for us to obtain the approval and any failure to obtain or delay in obtaining CSRC approval for this offering would subject us to sanctions imposed by the CSRC and other PRC regulatory agencies.

 

While, based on the advice of the Company’s PRC counsel, we believe the CSRC approval is not required for the listing and trading of the Class B Ordinary Shares on the Nasdaq Stock Market in the context of this offering, the Company’s PRC legal counsel has further advised us that there remains some uncertainty as to how the M&A Rules will be interpreted or implemented in the context of an overseas offering and its opinions summarized above are subject to any new laws, regulations and rules or detailed implementations and interpretations in any form relating to the M&A Rules. If it is determined that CSRC approval is required for this offering, we may face sanctions by the CSRC or other PRC regulatory agencies for failure to seek CSRC approval for this offering. These sanctions may include fines and penalties on the Company’s operations in the PRC, limitations on the Company’s operating licenses in the PRC, delays in or restrictions on the repatriation of the proceeds from this offering into the PRC, restrictions on or prohibition of the payments or remittance of dividends by our PRC subsidiaries to us or other actions that could have a material and adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations, reputation and prospects, as well as the trading price of the Class B Ordinary Shares. The CSRC or other PRC regulatory agencies may also take actions requiring us, or making it advisable for us, to halt this offering before the settlement and delivery of the Class B Ordinary Shares that we are offering. Consequently, if you engage in market trading or other activities in anticipation of and prior to the settlement and delivery of the Class B Ordinary Shares we are offering, you would be doing so at the risk that the settlement and delivery may not occur.

 

Risks Related to Our Business and Industry

 

Due to the Company’s accumulated deficit, net losses from operations for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, and a working capital deficit as of December 31, 2022, there is substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

 

The Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022 were prepared on a going concern basis in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. The going concern basis assumes that we will continue in operation for the next 12 months and will be able to realize our assets and discharge our liabilities and commitments in the normal course of business. Thus, our consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might be necessary if we are unable to continue as a going concern.

 

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The Company incurred net losses from operations of approximately RMB14.3 million and RMB22.0 million (approximately $3.0 million) for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, respectively. As of December 31, 2022, the Company’s accumulated deficits were RMB154.3 million (approximately $21.3 million), with a working capital deficit of RMB23.4 million (approximately $3.2 million). Nevertheless, the Company generated a net income of RMB1.3 million (approximately $0.2 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2023, and as of June 30, 2023, the Company’s accumulated deficits were RMB153.3 million (approximately $21.1 million), with a working capital deficit of RMB3.7 million (approximately $0.5 million). The   Company’s operating results for future periods are subject to numerous uncertainties. It is uncertain if the Company will be able to reduce or eliminate its net losses in the foreseeable future. Such conditions and events cast substantial doubt on the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

 

The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the Company’s business operations for the past two fiscal years. However, the management expects that the operating results will improve as the economy has gradually recovered from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Besides, management has developed business plans to mitigate the above adverse conditions and events, including obtaining funds amounting to RMB63.8 million ($9.3 million) from two investors as capital injection which will be sufficient to meet anticipated working capital requirements and capital expenditures within the next 12 months. Moreover, the Company has proactively taken actions to optimize its overall cost structure by upgrading its business and service model and implementing other cost control measures. Such actions include standardizing the Company’s finance and operation policies throughout the Company, enhancing internal controls, and creating a synergy of the Company’s resources. Taking into consideration all these actions mentioned above, management concluded that the substantial doubt on the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern will be alleviated through the effective implementation of the business plans.

 

However, if we are unable to do so on a timely basis, we will be required to seek additional capital. In that event, we would seek additional funds through various financing sources, including the sale of our equity and debt securities, but there can be no guarantees that such funds will be available on commercially reasonable terms, if at all. If we are unable to raise additional capital, execute our business plans, increase sales or reduce expenses, we will be unable to continue to fund our operations, develop our products, realize value from our assets, and discharge our liabilities in the normal course of business. If we become unable to continue as a going concern, we could have to liquidate our assets, and potentially realize significantly less than the values at which they are carried on our financial statements, and investors could lose all or part of their investment in our Class B Ordinary Shares.

 

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has and may continue to adversely affect the Company’s business and results of operations.

 

The rapid and continued spread of COVID-19, and the measures taken to slow its spread, have adversely affected the Company’s business and financial results and may continue to do so for an uncertain period of time in the future. On May 5, 2023, the WHO ended the emergency status for COVID-19. However, COVID-19 is still a significant public health problem and will continue to challenge health systems worldwide long term. The COVID-19 pandemic has had and may continue to have negative impacts on the Company’s business. During the COVID-19 pandemic, demand for the Company’s products and services was significantly depressed. Various lockdown measures, social distancing guidelines, and government-imposed restrictions on movement hindered our ability to expand geographically. These challenges also curtailed our ability to perform maintenance and repair on our access control screens, affecting the overall quality and efficiency of our services. Moreover, the stay-at-home orders and the associated decrease in public mobility directly impacted the effectiveness of our community building access control screens as advertising platforms. With residents confined to their homes and public spaces left largely vacant, demand for placing outdoor advertisements was low. Merchant customers, such as restaurants, tourist companies retail stores and other businesses, suspended their operations or operated at reduced capacity due to social distancing measures and reduced consumer spending. As a result, these businesses were neither in need of nor capable of purchasing our advertising services. Additionally, the pandemic has caused COVID-19 infections among the Company’s employees, leading to reduced workforce productivity and operational disruptions during surges of infections.

 

Despite the Company’s efforts to manage these impacts and the positive growth in our revenue, due to the evolving situation with COVID-19, the effect on the Company’s operational and financial performance will depend on future developments, all of which are uncertain and difficult to predict and in the future may have material adverse effects on the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and cash flows. Such developments may include, but are not limited to, the spread and future resurgences of the virus, the severity and duration of the outbreak and the severity and duration of the resulting impact on the economy. Even after the COVID-19 pandemic has subsided, we may experience impacts on the Company’s business as a result of any economic recession, downturn or volatility that has occurred or may occur in the future. The COVID-19 pandemic may also have the effect of heightening many of the other risks described below, including those related to ability to service indebtedness and share price fluctuation.

 

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A significant portion of the Company’s revenue is concentrated in a small number of large customers. Any loss or significant reduction of business with, one or more of them could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

A significant portion of our revenue is generated from a small number of major customers, the loss of, or significant reduction of business with, one or more of which could have a material adverse effect on our business. For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, the customers who individually accounted for at least 10% of the Company’s revenues collectively made up 63.2% and 84.8% of the Company’s total revenues, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2023, the customers who individually accounted for at least 10% of the Company’s revenues collectively made up 41.2% of  the Company’s total revenues. Failure to retain our existing customers, or enter into relationships with new customers, each on acceptable terms, could materially impact our business, financial condition, results of operations and ability to meet our current and long-term financial forecasts.

 

Economic conditions and capital markets may materially and adversely affect our customers and their ability to remain solvent. Our customers’ financial difficulties can negatively impact our results of operations and financial condition, especially if they were to delay or default on payments to us. We cannot assure you that our customer relationships will continue as presently in effect. There is no assurance any of our customers will continue to utilize our services, renew our existing contracts, or continue at the same volume levels. A reduction in or termination of our services by one or more of our major customers could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

In addition, the size and market concentration of some of our customers may allow them to exert increased pressure on the prices, margins and non-monetary terms of our contracts.

 

The Company has engaged in transactions with related parties, and terms obtained or consideration that it paid in connection with these transactions may not be comparable to terms available or the amounts that would be paid in arm’s length transactions.

 

We have entered into a number of transactions with related parties. For example, we have engaged Henduoka, a related party, to provide the SaaS software infrastructure integral to our intelligent access control and safety management system pursuant to a Business Cooperation Agreement for an initial cooperation period from January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2025. These services include the provision of SaaS software services and back-end management system for community properties that utilize our intelligent access control and safety management system. Under the Business Cooperation Agreement, we pay Henduoka a quarterly fee equal to the product of (i) the number of communities actively using the provided software, and (ii) RMB100.

 

Additionally, we have entered into a Platform Service Agreement with Henduoka, pursuant to which Henduoka utilizes Quanxiang WeChat Mini Program, Douyin and other social media platforms to help list and publish the products and services of our merchant customers, collect payments and offer other technical services related to our Local Life business. The Platform Service Agreement, with an initial cooperation period from December 1, 2022 to November 30, 2025, provides that we pay Henduoka a platform service fee equal to 1.5% of verified gross merchandise value (GMV) of products sold, settled on a monthly basis. The services provided by Henduoka under the Platform Service Agreement are non-exclusive services, and we or the merchant customers have the right to contract other providers to provide such services. The English translations of the Business Cooperation Agreement and Platform Service Agreement with Henduoka are filed as Exhibits 10.3 and 10.4, respectively, to this registration statement.

 

Also, we do not manufacture but instead procure our access control hardware such as monitors, smart speakers, intercom handsets and access control card dispensers from an affiliated manufacturer, Xiamen Qiushi Intelligent Network Equipment Co., Ltd, a company controlled by our Chairman, Mr. Andong Zhang. For a complete description of related party transactions for the financial periods presented, please see “Related Party Transactions” beginning on page 121.

 

For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, no revenue was generated by related party transactions. For the six months ended June 30, 2023, no revenue was generated by related party transactions. For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, nil and RMB40.79 million in cost of revenues from related party transactions were recorded, accounting for nil% and 28% of total cost of revenues for the same periods, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2023, RMB23.1 million in cost of revenues from related party transactions was recorded, accounting for 13% of total cost of revenues for the same period.  

 

Such transactions present potential for conflicts of interest, as the interests of these entities and their shareholders may not align with the interests of the Company and our unaffiliated shareholders with respect to the negotiation of, and certain other matters related to, our purchases from and other transactions with such entities. Conflicts of interest may also arise in connection with the exercise of contractual remedies under these transactions, such as for events of default.

 

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Our Board of Directors intends to authorize the Audit Committee upon its formation to review and approve all material related party transactions. We rely on the laws of the Cayman Islands, which provide that the directors owe a duty of care and a duty of loyalty to our company. Under Cayman Islands law, our directors have a duty to act honestly, in good faith, and view our best interests. Our directors also have a duty to exercise the care, diligence, and skills that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in comparable circumstances. See “Description of Share Capital—Differences in Corporate Law” beginning on page 128 for additional information on our directors’ fiduciary duties under Cayman Islands law. These transactions, individually or in the aggregate, may have an adverse effect on our business or may result in litigation or enforcement actions by the SEC or other agencies. 

 

The Company has incurred indebtedness and may incur other debt in the future, which may adversely affect its financial condition and future financial results.

 

As of December 31, 2021 and 2022, and June 30, 2023, we had an aggregate of RMB84.6 million, RMB43.9 million ($6.1 million) and RMB31.5 million ($4.3 million) of   indebtedness outstanding under our credit facilities with financial institutions, respectively. Under such credit facilities, we are permitted to incur additional debt. Existing debt, and any debt that we may incur in the future, may adversely affect our financial condition and future financial results by, among other things:

 

increasing our vulnerability to downturns in our business, to competitive pressures and to adverse economic and industry conditions;

 

requiring the dedication of a portion of our expected cash from operations to service our indebtedness, thereby reducing the amount of expected cash flow available for other purposes, including capital expenditures; and

 

limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our businesses and our industries.

 

If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flow from operations in the future to service our debt, we may be required, among other things, to seek additional financing in the debt or equity markets, refinance or restructure all or a portion of our indebtedness, sell selected assets or reduce or delay planned capital, operating or investment expenditures. Such measures may not be sufficient to enable us to service our debt.

 

The Company invests in research and development, and to the extent the Company’s research and development investments are not directed efficiently or do not result in cost-efficient enhancements to the Company’s products and services, the Company’s business and results of operations would be harmed.

 

A key element of the Company’s growth strategy is to invest in the Company’s research and development efforts. We plan to use approximately 40% of the net proceeds from this offering to fund research and development efforts. During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, and the six months ended June 30, 2023, we spent RMB6.4 million, RMB6.9 million ($1.0 million) and RMB3.1 million ($0.4 million) on research and development. We have focused our research and development efforts on continuously advancing our technological competency in areas such as the access control systems, IoT technology and digital advertisement placement capabilities. As of the date of this prospectus, we have a team of 37 research and development personnel dedicated to innovation and optimization.

 

If we do not spend the Company’s research and development budget efficiently or effectively on compelling enhancements, innovations and technologies, the Company’s business may be harmed, and we may not realize the expected benefits of the Company’s strategy timely or at all. We will need to appropriately deploy the Company’s human resources, or we may not be able to effectively execute the Company’s research and development strategy. Moreover, research and development projects can be challenging and expensive. As a result of the nature of research and development cycles, there will be delays between the time we incur expenses associated with research and development activities and the time we are able to offer compelling enhancements to the Company’s offerings and generate revenue, if any, from those activities. If we expend a significant number of resources on research and development efforts that do not lead to the successful introduction of updated access control products and advertising placement services, innovative advancements or newer systems that are competitive in our current or future markets, our business and results of operations will suffer.

 

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We may fail to protect our intellectual properties.

 

We regard our patents, software registrations, trademarks, domain names and similar intellectual property as critical to our success, and we rely on a combination of intellectual property laws and contractual arrangements, including confidentiality and non-compete agreements with our employees and others to protect our proprietary rights. Despite these measures, any of our intellectual property rights could be challenged, invalidated, circumvented or misappropriated, or such intellectual property may not be sufficient to provide us with competitive advantages.

 

Preventing any unauthorized use of our intellectual property is difficult and costly and the steps we take may be inadequate to prevent the misappropriation of our intellectual property. In the event that we resort to litigation to enforce our intellectual property rights, such litigation could result in substantial costs and a diversion of our managerial and financial resources. We can also provide no assurance that we will prevail in such litigation. In addition, our trade secrets may be leaked or otherwise become available to, or be independently discovered by, our competitors.

 

We may be subject to intellectual property infringement claims.

 

We cannot be certain that our operations or any aspects of our business do not or will not infringe upon or otherwise violate trademarks, patents, copyrights, know-how or other intellectual property rights held by third parties. We may be from time to time in the future subject to legal proceedings and claims relating to the intellectual property rights of others. In addition, there may be third-party trademarks, patents, copyrights, know-how or other intellectual property rights that are infringed by our products, services or other aspects of our business without our awareness. If any third-party infringement claims are brought against us, we may be forced to divert management’s time and other resources from our business and operations to defend against these claims, regardless of their merits.

 

The growth of our business may be adversely affected if we do not implement our growth strategies and initiatives successfully or if we are unable to manage our growth or operations effectively.

 

We have expanded and are continuing to expand our operations, suite of services and client relationships, which has placed, and will continue to place, significant demands on our management and our operational and financial infrastructure. Additionally, our ability to grow in the future will depend on a number of factors, including the ability to develop and expand client relationships, to grow our customer base, to continue to provide and expand the high-quality services we offer, to hire and train qualified personnel, to expand and grow in existing and future markets, to develop and operationalize new service offerings, and to sustain operational synergies and efficiencies across our Smart Community, Out-of-Home Advertising and Local Life business verticals. Achieving and sustaining growth requires the successful execution of our growth strategies which consist of (i) solidifying our industry position, (ii) enhancing our ability to attract, incentivize and retain merchant customers, and (iii) expanding into overseas markets. The execution of such growth strategies may require the implementation of enhancements to customer-facing, operational and financial systems, expanded sales and marketing capacity, and continuous updates to technology and improvements to processes and systems. Given these challenges, we may be unable to manage our expanding operations effectively, or to maintain our growth, which could have a material adverse effect on our business or results of operations.

 

We may fail to make necessary or desirable strategic alliances, acquisitions or investments, and we may not be able to achieve the benefits we expect from the alliances, acquisition or investments we make.

 

We plan to use 13% of the net proceeds received from this offering to fund any selected strategic alliances and potential strategic acquisitions that are supplemental to our business and operations, including opportunities that can help us further expand our product and service offerings. As of the date of this prospectus, we have not identified any specific projects to be undertaken or businesses and/or assets to be acquired or invested.

 

However, strategic alliances with third parties could subject us to a number of risks, including risks associated with sharing proprietary information, non-performance or default by counterparties, and increased expenses in establishing these new alliances, any of which may materially and adversely affect our business. In addition, we may have limited ability to control or monitor the actions of our strategic partners. To the extent a strategic partner suffers any negative publicity as a result of its business operations, our reputation may be negatively affected by virtue of our association with such party.

 

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The costs of identifying and consummating strategic acquisitions may be significant and subsequent integrations of newly acquired companies, businesses, assets and technologies would require significant managerial and financial resources and could result in a diversion of resources from our existing business, which in turn could have an adverse effect on our growth and business operations. In addition, investments and acquisitions could result in the use of substantial amounts of cash, potentially dilutive issuances of equity securities and exposure to potential unknown liabilities of the acquired business. The acquired businesses or assets may not generate the financial results we expect and may incur losses. The cost and duration of integrating newly acquired businesses could also materially exceed our expectations.

 

Our success depends on the continuing efforts of our senior management and key employees.

 

Our future success is significantly dependent upon the continued service of our senior management and other key employees. If we lose their service, we may not be able to locate suitable or qualified replacements, and may incur additional expenses to recruit and train new staff, which could severely disrupt our business and growth. Our Chief Executive Officer and director, Mr. Runzhe Zhang, our Chairman and founder, Mr. Andong Zhang, our Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Weihua Chen, and other management members are critical to our vision, strategic direction, culture and overall business success. If there is any internal organizational structure change or change in responsibilities for our management or key personnel, or if one or more of our senior management members were unable or unwilling to continue in their present positions, the operation of our business and our business prospects may be adversely affected. Our employees, including members of our management, may choose to pursue other opportunities. If we are unable to motivate or retain key employees, our business may be severely disrupted and our prospects could suffer. There is no assurance that our management members would not join our competitors or form a competing business.

 

If we are unable to recruit, train and retain talents, our business may be materially and adversely affected.

 

We believe our future success depends on our continued ability to attract, develop, motivate and retain qualified and skilled employees. Competition for personnel with expertise in our industry is intense. We may not be able to hire and retain these personnel at compensation levels consistent with our existing compensation and salary structure. Some of the companies with which we compete for experienced employees have greater resources than we have and may be able to offer more attractive terms of employment. In addition, we invest significant time and resources in training our employees, which increases their value to competitors who may seek to recruit them. If we fail to retain our employees, we could incur significant expenses in hiring and training new employees, and our ability to serve customers and business partners could diminish, resulting in a material adverse effect to our business.

 

Our lack of insurance could expose us to significant costs and business disruption.

 

The insurance industry in China is still at an early stage of development, and insurance companies in China currently offer limited business-related insurance products. Besides mandatory social security insurance for employees, we currently do not have any business liability or disruption insurance or other insurance to cover our operations, which we believe is consistent with customary industry practice in China. We have determined that the costs of insuring for these risks and the difficulties associated with acquiring such insurance on commercially reasonable terms make it impractical for us to have such insurance. If we suffer any losses, damages or liabilities in the course of our business operations, we would not have insurance coverage to provide funds to cover any such losses, damages or liabilities. Therefore, there may be instances when we will sustain losses, damages and liabilities because of our lack of insurance coverage, which may in turn materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

 

We may not be able to raise additional capital when desired, on favorable terms or at all.

 

We need to make continued investments in hardware, software, technological systems and to retain talents to remain competitive. There can be no assurance that we will be able to raise additional capital on terms favorable to us, or at all, if and when required, especially if we experience disappointing operating results. If adequate capital is not available to us as required, our ability to fund our operations, take advantage of unanticipated opportunities, develop or enhance our infrastructure or respond to competitive pressures could be significantly limited. If we do raise additional funds through the issuance of equity or convertible debt securities, the ownership interests of our shareholders could be significantly diluted. These newly issued securities may have rights, preferences or privileges on par with or senior to those of existing shareholders.

 

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If we fail to implement and maintain an effective system of internal controls to remediate our material weakness over financial reporting, we may be unable to accurately report our results of operations, meet our reporting obligations or prevent fraud.

 

Prior to this offering, we have been a private company with limited accounting personnel and other resources with which to address our internal control over financial reporting. In connection with the audits of our consolidated financial statements included in this prospectus, we and our independent registered public accounting firm identified three material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting. As defined in the standards established by the U.S. Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, a “material weakness” is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.

 

The three material weaknesses that have been identified relate to (i) our lack of sufficient and competent accounting staff and resources with appropriate knowledge of U.S. GAAP and SEC reporting and compliance requirements, (ii) our lack of robust and formal period-end financial reporting policies and procedures in place to address complex U.S. GAAP technical accounting and the SEC reporting requirements, and (iii) Our lack of sufficient controls designed and implemented in IT environment and IT general control activities, mainly associated with areas of access logical security, system change management, IT operations and cyber security monitoring activities. Neither we nor our independent registered public accounting firm undertook a comprehensive assessment of our internal control for purposes of identifying and reporting material weaknesses and other deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting. Had we performed a formal assessment of our internal control over financial reporting or had our independent registered public accounting firm performed an audit of our internal control over financial reporting, additional deficiencies may have been identified.

 

Following the identification of the material weaknesses and other deficiencies, we have taken measures and plan to continue to take measures to remediate these control deficiencies. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Internal Control over Financial Reporting” However, the implementation of these measures may not fully address the material weakness and other deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting, and we cannot conclude that they have been fully remediated. Our failure to correct the material weakness and other deficiencies or our failure to discover and address any other deficiencies could result in inaccuracies in our financial statements and impair our ability to comply with applicable financial reporting requirements and related regulatory filings on a timely basis. Moreover, ineffective internal control over financial reporting could significantly hinder our ability to prevent fraud.

 

We will be subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”) as well as rules and regulations of Nasdaq Stock Exchange after the completion of this offering. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires, among other things, that we maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls over financial reporting. We are required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act to perform system and process evaluation and testing of our internal controls over financial reporting to allow management to report on the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting in our Form 20-F beginning with our second annual report after becoming a public company. Prior to this offering, we were never required to test our internal controls within a specified period, and, as a result, we may experience difficulty in meeting these reporting requirements in a timely manner.

 

Our management may conclude that our internal control over financial reporting is not effective. Moreover, even if our management concludes that our internal control over financial reporting is effective, our independent registered public accounting firm, after conducting its own independent testing, may issue an adverse report if it is not satisfied with our internal controls or the level at which our controls are documented, designed, operated or reviewed, or if it interprets the relevant requirements differently from us.

 

If we are not able to comply with the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act in a timely manner, or if we are unable to maintain the adequacy of our internal control over financial reporting, as these standards are modified, supplemented or amended from time to time, we may not be able to produce timely and accurate financial statements and may not be able to conclude on an ongoing basis that we have effective internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404. If that were to happen, we could suffer material misstatements in our financial statements and fail to meet our reporting obligations, which could lead to a decline in the market price of our Class B Ordinary Shares and we could be subject to sanctions or investigations by SEC or other regulatory authorities. We may also be required to restate our financial statements for prior periods.

 

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Risks Related to the Smart Community Business

 

Any harm to the Company’s brand or reputation may materially and adversely affect its business.

 

The brand recognition and reputation of our “LianZhang” brand and the successful maintenance and enhancement of our brand and reputation have contributed and will continue to contribute to our success and growth.

 

Our reputation may be harmed either by product defects, such as the failure of the Smart Community system with one or more customers, or shortfalls in customer service. Residents and property managers generally judge the performance of our Smart Community system through their day-to-day interactions with the system’s devices and services. Any failure to meet customers’ expectations in such customer service areas could cause an increase in attrition rates or make it difficult to obtain new customers. With the increased use of social network, adverse publicity can be disseminated quickly and broadly, making it increasingly difficult for us to respond and mitigate effectively.

 

The Company depends on one affiliated manufacturer for substantially all of its hardware manufacturing needs. If this manufacturer experiences any delay, disruption, or quality control problems in its operations and the Company fails to find a replacement manufacturer in a timely manner and on acceptable terms, the Company could lose or fail to grow its market share and its brand may suffer.

 

All of our access control hardware products are manufactured and purchased from an affiliated manufacturer, Xiamen Qiushi Intelligent Network Equipment Co., Ltd. We executed specific purchase agreements with the hardware supplier, which typically set forth the product name, model, unit price, volume, payment method, after-sale service and dispute resolution provisions. Although management believes that if needed, additional or alternative hardware suppliers would be available, the loss of Xiamen Qiushi Intelligent Network Equipment Co., Ltd. as our hardware supplier could cause a significant disruption in operations and delays in the installation of the Company’s access control and safety management system. Qualifying a new manufacturer and commencing volume production is expensive and time consuming. Ensuring that a contract manufacturer is qualified to manufacture our products to our standards is time consuming. In addition, there is no assurance that a new contract manufacturer can scale the production of the access control devices at the volumes and in the quality that we require. If we have difficulty finding alternative or additional contract manufacturers that meet our standards, which may take significant effort, our business, results of operations, and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected.

 

Our reliance on external manufacturers also exposes us to the following risks over which we have limited control:

 

unexpected increases in manufacturing and repair costs;
   
inability to control the quality and reliability of finished products;
   
inability to control delivery schedules;
   
potential liability for expenses incurred by external manufacturers in reliance on our forecasts that later prove to be inaccurate;
   
potential lack of adequate capacity to manufacture all or a part of the products we require; and
   
potential labor unrest affecting the ability of the external manufacturers to produce our products.

 

The hardware integral to our intelligent access control and safety management system must satisfy certain safety and regulatory standards. If they fail to meet such standards, the quality and reliability of our intelligent access control and safety management system may be materially adversely affected. This failure could also harm our sales, profitability and relationships with our sales channels, and cause our reputation and brand to suffer.

 

Defects or performance problems in the Company’s Smart Community devices could result in a loss of customers, reputational damage and decreased revenue. Additionally, the Company may face warranty, indemnity, and product liability claims that may arise from malfunctions.

 

Our Smart Community devices such as monitors, smart speakers, intercom handsets and access control card dispensers may contain undetected errors or defects, especially when first introduced or when new generations of products are released. Errors, defects, or poor performance can arise due to design flaws, defects in raw materials or components, which can affect the quality of such devices. Any actual or perceived errors, defects, or poor performance in such devices could result in the replacement or recall of the products, rejection of the products, damage to our reputation, lost revenue, and increases in customer service and support costs, all of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

 

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Furthermore, defective components may give rise to warranty, indemnity, or product liability claims against us that exceed any revenue or profit we receive from the affected products. If one of such devices were to cause injury to someone or cause property damage, including because of product malfunctions, defects, or improper installation, we could be exposed to product liability claims. We could incur significant costs and liabilities if we are sued and if damages are awarded against us. Further, any product liability claim we face could be expensive to defend and could divert management’s attention. The successful assertion of a product liability claim against us could result in potentially significant monetary damages, penalties or fines, subject us to adverse publicity, damage our reputation and competitive position, and adversely affect sales of our products. In addition, product liability claims, injuries, defects, or other problems experienced by other companies in the community building access control industry could lead to unfavorable market conditions for the industry as a whole and may have an adverse effect on our ability to attract new customers, thus harming our growth and financial performance.

 

The Company may face disruption to its technology systems, leading to interruptions in the availability of its services.

 

The satisfactory performance, reliability and availability of our technology systems are critical to our success. A failure or malfunction of our Smart Community systems can cause security concerns to community residents and result in irreparable damage to our LianZhang brand. Effective January 1, 2023, the Company has engaged Henduoka, a related party, to provide the SaaS software infrastructure of its intelligent access control and safety management system. Henduoka thus plays a crucial role in maintaining the security of the computer information and communication systems within our intelligent access control and safety management system.

 

We have devoted considerable internal and external resources to network security, data encryption, and other security measures to protect our systems, customers, and users, but these security measures cannot provide absolute security. We have established a crisis management plan and business continuity program. However, there can be no assurance that the plan and program can withstand an actual disruption in our systems, including a cyber-attack, hacking, fraud, or other forms of deception. An operational interruption could result in significant losses or damage and harm to our business.

 

Our technology systems, including the software platform provided by Henduoka, may also experience telecommunications failures, computer viruses, databases or components, power outages, hardware failures, user errors, or other attempts to harm our technology systems, which may result in residential community security issues, delays or errors in transaction processing, loss of data, and inability to accept and fulfill user request.

 

Delays, costs, and disruptions that result from upgrading, integrating, and maintaining the security of the information and technology networks and systems integral to the intelligent access control and safety management system could materially adversely affect the Company’s business.

 

We are dependent on information technology networks and systems, including Internet and Internet-based or “cloud” computing services and our scalable technology infrastructure to operate the Smart Community systems. Through Henduoka, we are currently implementing modifications and upgrades to the Smart Community’s information technology systems and also integrating systems from other screen operators, including making changes to legacy systems, replacing legacy systems with successor systems with new functionality, and implementing new systems. The dynamic nature of these and other changes we are undertaking require that throughout 2023 and in future years we simultaneously engage in significant technology developmental efforts across our operations, including platform development, marketing, customer care and other substantive and administrative functions. While upgrading and implementing change to any part of our systems could present challenges, the age of our systems and architecture may present unique challenges that we have not previously encountered as we undertake these developmental efforts simultaneously across our operations. Any delay in making such changes or replacements or in purchasing new systems could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows. There are inherent costs and risks associated with integrating, replacing and changing these systems and implementing new systems, including potential disruption of the operation of the intelligent access control and safety management system and its advertisement placement functions, potential disruption of our internal control structure, substantial capital expenditures, additional administration and operating expenses, retention of sufficiently skilled personnel to integrate, implement and operate the new systems, demands on management time, securing our systems along with dependent processes from cybersecurity threats, and other risks and costs of delays or difficulties in transitioning to new systems or of integrating new systems into our current systems. In addition, such information technology system implementations may not result in productivity improvements at a level that outweighs the costs of implementation, or at all. The implementation of or delay in implementing new information technology systems may also cause disruptions in our business operations and impede our ability to comply with constantly evolving laws, regulations and industry.

 

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Due to the ever-changing threat landscape, the Company’s Smart Community system may be subject to potential vulnerabilities of wireless and IoT devices, as well as risks related to hacking or other unauthorized access to control or view systems and obtain private information, which may disrupt the normal function of the Smart Community system.

 

Although we do not collect or retain sensitive and confidential information but rely on Henduoka to provide our Smart Community’s software infrastructure, functions and services, if Henduoka are subject to cyberattacks that may come from phishing, malware, ransomware, or other methods, our Smart Community system and our business would be materially adversely affected.

 

No matter how security measures are well designed and implemented, those measures may not prevent: cybersecurity breaches; the unauthorized access, capture, or alteration of information; the exposure or exploitation of potential security vulnerabilities; distributed denial of service attacks; acts of vandalism; computer viruses; or misplaced data or data loss that could materially adversely impact the reputation of our Smart Community systems and our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.

 

The software provided by Henduoka may contain unknown security vulnerabilities. We and Henduoka take steps to detect and remediate vulnerabilities, but there is no assurance that all vulnerabilities in our Smart Community systems can be detected and remediated as such threats and techniques used to exploit vulnerabilities change frequently and are often sophisticated in nature. These vulnerabilities pose a material risk to our Smart Community business.

 

The success of the Company’s Smart Community business is dependent upon its ability to obtain and renew contracts with various communities and property managers, which the Company may not be able to obtain on favorable terms.

 

Our Smart Community business requires us to develop and maintain robust relationships with a vast number of communities and property managers. Although these contracts typically have terms ranging from three to five years and will renew automatically unless terminated by either party, there is a possibility that our competitors may be able to acquire our market share.

 

The success of our Smart Community business also depends generally on our ability to obtain and renew contracts and continue to expand geographically. There can be no assurance that we will win additional contracts. Although in the past we are generally able to renew existing contracts, there is no guarantee that we will always be able to renew existing contracts or replace any revenues lost upon non-renewal of a contract. Our inability to renew existing contracts may also result in significant expenses from the removal of our displays.

  

From time to time, we participate in competitive bids organized by property developers to obtain a portion of our new contracts. The competitive bidding process presents certain risks, including that we may expend substantial cost and managerial time and effort to prepare bids and proposals for contracts that we may not win. Our inability to successfully renew existing or obtain new contracts could have a material adverse impact on our advertising business, overall operations, results of operations and prospects.

 

Risks Related to the Out-of-Home Advertising Services

 

The Company has generated revenues primarily from advertising and promotional activities, namely by the Out-of-Home Advertising and Local Life business verticals, and any loss or significant reduction of business in these verticals could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s revenues, financial positions and operating results.

 

In the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, we generated revenues primarily from advertising and promotional activities, namely by the Out-of-Home Advertising and Local Life business verticals. Particularly, for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, approximately 83.5% and 91.5% of our revenues were derived from Out-of-Home Advertising, respectively. In the six months ended June 30, 2023, we generated revenues primarily from the Out-of-Home Advertising (80.7%) and Local Life – E-Commerce Promotion (1.1%). If our advertising revenues suffer any losses or significant deductions, it could materially adversely affect our revenues, financial position and operating results.

 

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The Company’s advertising strategies depend on its Smart Community monitors to a great extent. If defects were found on the access control monitors, this could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s revenues, financial position and operating results.

 

The Company’s Out-of-Home Advertising vertical offers clients one-stop multi-channel advertising solutions. Our core offering in the Out-of-Home Advertising business is to help clients place advertisements on our intelligent access control and safety management system. Residents are exposed to these advertisements each time they enter and exit the community buildings or open the SaaS software. Our monitors and vendor-provided SaaS platforms that form our intelligent access control and safety management system, are our unique resources and attract other outdoor advertising providers to collaborate with us. This collaboration enables us to provide multi-channel advertising solutions. However, if defects were found on our access control monitors or the outsourced software platforms, it could have a material adverse impact on our revenues, financial position and operating results.

 

The Company depends on third-party providers for components of its Out-of-Home Advertising services. Any failure or interruption in the services provided by these third parties could negatively impact the Company’s ability to deliver the advertising packages to clients.

 

Our Out-of-Home Advertising vertical offers clients one-stop multi-channel advertising solutions by partnering with other outdoor advertising providers and simultaneously placing the advertisements on the partners’ numerous displays in public transportation, hotels and other settings. Our advertising packages also incorporate collaboration with other advertising providers to deploy posters at various events as well as the digital replay of such events on online video-sharing platforms. We have entered into strategic cooperation framework agreements for these partnerships. For specific cooperation projects, we enter into a separate advertisement placement agreement that sets forth the project term, collaboration methods, price and payment. We typically assume joint liabilities for the services provided by such collaborating partners to ensure the quality of our advertising packages. Any delays, malfunctions, inefficiencies or interruptions in these services could adversely affect the quality and performance of our advertising packages, which could harm our brand, reputation or growth. In addition, if we are unable to avail ourselves of warranties and other contractual protections with such partner providers, we may incur additional costs related to the affected services, which could adversely affect our business, operating results, or financial condition.

 

The Company relies on various third-party telecommunications providers and signal processing centers to transmit and communicate signals to its Smart Community systems.

 

We also rely on various third-party telecommunications providers and signal processing centers to transmit and communicate signals to our Smart Community devices. These telecommunications providers and signal processing centers could fail to transmit or communicate these signals to the access control screens for many reasons, including disruptions from fire, natural disasters, weather, health epidemics or pandemics, transmission interruption, extended power outages, human or other error, malicious acts, provider preferences regarding the signals that get transmitted, government actions, war, terrorism, sabotage, or other conflicts, or as a result of disruptions to internal and external networks or third party transmission lines. The failure of one or more of these telecommunications providers or signal processing centers to transmit and communicate signals to our Smart Community systems in a timely manner could affect our ability to perform Out-of-Home advertising services.

 

The Company faces intense competition in the Out-of-Home Advertising business.

 

We operate in a highly competitive industry, and we may not be able to maintain or increase our current advertising revenues. We compete for advertising revenue with other out-of-home advertising businesses, as well as with other media, such as broadcast and cable television, radio, print media and direct mail, within their respective markets. Market shares are subject to change for various reasons, including through consolidation of our competitors through processes such as mergers and acquisitions, which could have the effect of reducing our revenue in a specific market. Our competitors may develop technology, services or advertising media that are equal or superior to those we provide or that achieve greater market acceptance and brand recognition than we achieve. It is also possible that new competitors may emerge and rapidly acquire significant market share in any of our sectors. Many of these competitors possess greater technical, human and other resources than we do, and we may lack sufficient financial or other resources to maintain or improve competitive position. Moreover, the advertiser/agency ecosystem is diverse and dynamic, with advertiser/agency relationships subject to change. This could have an adverse effect on us if an advertiser client shifts its relationship to an agency with whom we do not have as good a relationship. An increased level of competition for advertising dollars may lead to lower advertising rates as we attempt to retain customers or may cause us to lose customers to our competitors who offer lower rates that we are unable or unwilling to match.

 

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Restrictions on advertising of certain products may restrict the categories of clients that can advertise using the Company’s services.

 

Regulations governing categories of products that can be advertised through our advertising assets and platforms may affect our performance. Certain products and services, for example tobacco-based products, are banned from outdoor advertising in China. Moreover, extreme words like “the most”, “the best”, “most favored” are not allowed in advertisement. Any significant reduction in advertising of products due to content-related restrictions could cause a reduction in our direct revenues from such advertisements.

 

If the Company’s security measures are breached, the Company could lose valuable information, suffer disruptions to its business, and incur expenses and liabilities, including damage to its relationships with customers and business partners.

 

Although we have implemented physical and electronic security measures designed to protect against the loss, misuse and alteration of our computer system and proprietary business information, no security measures are perfect and impenetrable, and we and outside parties we interact with may be unable to anticipate or prevent unauthorized access. Moreover, our systems, servers and platforms may be vulnerable to computer viruses or physical or electronic break-ins and similar disruptions that our security measures may not detect, which could cause interruptions or slowdowns of our digital display systems, delays in communication or loss of data and slowdown or unavailability of our advertising platforms. A cyber incident may be due to the actions of outside parties, employee error, malfeasance or a combination of these or other actions. The risk of a security breach or disruption, particularly through cyber-attacks or cyber intrusions, including by computer hackers and cyber terrorists, has generally increased as the number, intensity and sophistication of attempted attacks and intrusions from around the world have increased as well. If an actual or perceived breach of our security occurs, our digital display systems and advertising assets could suffer disruption, and we could lose competitively sensitive business information or lose control of our information processes or internal controls. In addition, the public perception of the effectiveness of our security measures or services could be harmed, and we could lose customers, consumers and business partners. In the event of a security breach, we could suffer financial exposure in connection with demands from perpetrators, penalties, remediation efforts, investigations and legal proceedings and changes in our security and system protection measures. Any failure or perceived failure by us to comply with these laws may subject us to significant regulatory fines and private litigation, any of which could harm our business.

 

Risks Related to the Local Life Services

 

The Company expects the Local Life vertical to be a new growth area in 2023 and beyond, and one of its growth strategies is to enhance its ability to attract, incentivize and retain merchant customers for the Local Life services. However, this focus on the Local Life vertical may be unsuccessful.

 

We are implementing a strategy to deepen our engagement with merchants and manufacturers within our Local Life space, by enabling them to offer home delivery services for household supplies and food, coordinate flight and train tickets, hotel accommodation and admission tickets for residents, and present top deals from leading e-commerce platforms. We intend to execute this strategy by building long-term relationships with local merchants to improve our inventory selection and improving the customer experience through inventory curation and improved convenience in order to drive customer demand and purchase frequency. There are no assurances that our actions will be successful in executing this strategy. Our efforts may prove more difficult than we currently anticipate. Further, we may not succeed in realizing the benefits of these efforts on our anticipated timeline or at all. In addition, as we implement this strategy, the macroeconomic environment, including but not limited to, certain adverse consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic that continue to impact the macroeconomic environment, economy slowdown pressures, higher labor costs, supply chain challenges and resulting changes in consumer and merchant behavior may make it more difficult to effectively execute this strategy, including to quickly test, learn and scale initiatives relating to improving inventory selection or improving customer experience. Even if fully implemented, our strategy may not result in a return to growth or the other anticipated benefits to our business, financial condition and results of operations. If we are unable to effectively execute this strategy and realize its anticipated benefits, it could negatively impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

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The future success of the Local Life vertical depends upon the Company’s ability to attract and retain high quality merchants.

 

We must continue to attract and retain high quality merchants in order to increase profitability and grow our Local Life vertical. A key priority for our Local Life vertical is to attract and retain the right merchants and provide community households with great deals and high-quality products and services. We are also focused on improving the merchant experience on our platform, including improving tools available to merchants to help grow their businesses. In addition, in most instances, we do not have long-term arrangements to guarantee the availability of deals that offer attractive quality, value and variety to consumers or favorable payment terms. If merchants decide that utilizing our services no longer provides an effective means of attracting new customers or selling their offerings, they may stop working with us or negotiate to pay us lower margins or fees. Further, current or future competitors may accept lower margins, or negative margins, to secure offers that attract attention and acquire new customers. We also may experience attrition in our merchants resulting from several factors, including losses to competitors and merchant closures or merchant bankruptcies. If we are unable to attract and retain high quality merchants in numbers sufficient to grow our business, or if merchants are unwilling to offer products or services with compelling terms through us, our operating results may be adversely affected.

 

If some of the Company’s merchant customers fail to provide a superior consumer experience, consumers may lose confidence in the products and services the Company promotes generally, which could have a material adverse impact on the Local Life business.

 

The development of our Local Life services hinges on our ability to provide a superior consumer experience for the products and services we help promote. This depends on a variety of factors, including our ability to offer high-quality products or services at competitive prices, directly source products or services to respond to consumer demands, and provide superior customer service. If some of the products or services ordered by consumers through our group deals, coupons, platform or otherwise influenced by our promotions, are not delivered on time, have defects or otherwise lead to a bad experience, consumers could request returns or refunds, and have less confidence in the products and services we promote generally. Failure of some of our merchant customers to deliver high-quality products and services to consumers may negatively impact the overall user experience, damage our reputation and cause us to lose both consumers and other advertiser clients.

 

The Company faces intense competition in the Local Life business, and it may lose market share and consumers if it fails to compete effectively.

 

The consumer service industry in China is intensely competitive. We compete for consumers and products. Our current or potential competitors include major neighborhood retailers, major social media platforms and e-commerce companies. In addition, new and enhanced technologies may increase the competition in the consumer service industry. When we work with merchant clients to set prices, we have to consider how competitors have set prices for the same or similar products. When they cut prices or offer additional benefits or rebates, we may have to ask our merchant clients to lower prices or offer additional benefits or risk losing market share, either of which could harm our financial condition and results of operations. Some of our current or future competitors may have longer operating histories, greater brand recognition, larger consumer bases, higher penetration in certain regions or greater financial, technical or marketing resources than we do. Those smaller companies or new entrants may be acquired by, receive investment from or enter into strategic relationships with well-established and well-financed companies or investors which would help enhance their competitive positions. Some of our competitors may be able to secure more favorable terms from suppliers, devote greater resources to marketing and promotional campaigns, adopt more aggressive pricing or inventory policies and devote substantially more resources to their technologies and systems development than us. We cannot assure you that we will be able to compete successfully against current or future competitors, and competitive pressures may have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

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Risks Related to this Offering and Ownership of the Class B Ordinary Shares

 

Our dual class voting structure has the effect of concentrating the voting control in holders of our Class A Ordinary Shares, which will limit or preclude your ability to influence corporate matters, and your interests may conflict with the interests of these shareholders. It may also adversely affect the trading market for our Class B Ordinary Shares due to exclusion from certain stock market indices.

 

We adopted a dual class voting structure such that our Ordinary Shares consist of Class A Ordinary Shares and Class B Ordinary Shares. Class A Ordinary Shares are entitled to ten (10) votes per share on proposals requiring or requesting shareholder approval and Class B Ordinary Shares are entitled to one (1) vote per share on any such matter. In this offering, we are offering [   ] Class B Ordinary Shares. Mr. Andong Zhang, our founder and Chairman, owns 9,589,248 Class A Ordinary Shares and 26,807,883 Class B Ordinary Shares. Prior to the commencement of this offering, there will be 9,589,248 Class A Ordinary Shares outstanding which are entitled to ten (10) votes per share and 54,282,402 Class B Ordinary Shares outstanding which are entitled to one (1) vote per share. As a result, Mr. Andong Zhang controls approximately 81.70% of the voting power of the outstanding Ordinary Shares of the Company before this offering.

 

Following this offering, taking into consideration the Class B Ordinary Shares expected to be offered hereby, Mr. Andong Zhang will retain controlling voting power in the Company based on having approximately [   ]% of the combined voting power of our outstanding Ordinary Shares. Mr. Andong Zhang will have the ability to control the outcome of most matters requiring shareholder approval, including:

 

the election of our Board and, through our Board, decision making with respect to our business direction and policies, including the appointment and removal of our officers;

 

mergers, de-mergers and other significant corporate transactions;

 

changes to our constitution; and

 

our capital structure.

 

This voting control and influence may discourage transactions involving a change of control of the Company, including transactions in which you, as a holder of our Class B Ordinary Shares, might otherwise receive a premium for your shares.

 

S&P Dow Jones and FTSE Russell have implemented changes to their eligibility criteria for inclusion of shares of public companies on certain indices, including the S&P 500, namely, to exclude companies with multiple classes of shares of common stock from being added to such indices. In addition, several shareholder advisory firms have announced their opposition to the use of multiple class structures. As a result, the dual class structure of our Ordinary Shares may prevent the inclusion of the Class B Ordinary Shares in such indices and may cause shareholder advisory firms to publish negative commentary about our corporate governance practices or otherwise seek to cause us to change our capital structure. Any such exclusion from indices could result in a less active trading market for our Class B Ordinary Shares. Any actions or publications by shareholder advisory firms critical of our corporate governance practices or capital structure could also adversely affect the value of the Class B Ordinary Shares.

 

There has been no public market for the Class B Ordinary Shares prior to this offering and an active trading market for the Class B Ordinary Shares may not develop following the completion of this offering.

 

Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for the Class B Ordinary Shares. We have applied for the listing of the Class B Ordinary Shares on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “LZMH.” If our application to the Nasdaq Capital Market is not approved or we otherwise determine that we will not be able to secure the listing of the Class B Ordinary Shares on the Nasdaq Capital Market, we will not complete the offering. Even if the Class B Ordinary Shares are approved for listing on Nasdaq, a liquid public market for the Class B Ordinary Shares may not develop or, if developed, may not be sustained, following the completion of this offering. The lack of an active market may impair your ability to sell your Class B Ordinary Shares at the time you wish to sell them or at a price that you consider reasonable.

 

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The initial public offering price for the Class B Ordinary Shares may not be indicative of prices that will prevail in the trading market and such market prices may be volatile.

 

The initial public offering price for the Class B Ordinary Shares will be determined by negotiations between us and the underwriters and may not bear a direct relationship to our earnings, book value, or any other indicia of value. We cannot assure you that the market price of the Class B Ordinary Shares will not decline significantly below the initial public offering price following the completion of this offering. The financial markets in the United States and other countries have experienced significant price and volume fluctuations in the last few years. Volatility in the price of the Class B Ordinary Shares may be caused by factors outside of our control and may be unrelated or disproportionate to changes in our results of operations.

 

The market price of the Class B Ordinary Shares may be volatile or may decline regardless of our operating performance, and you may not be able to resell your shares at or above the initial public offering price.

 

The public offering price of the Class B Ordinary Shares has been determined through negotiations between the underwriters and us based upon many factors and may not be indicative of prices that will prevail following the closing of this offering. After this offering, the market price for the Class B Ordinary Shares is likely to be volatile and could fluctuate widely due to multiple factors, many of which are beyond our control, including:

 

  actual or anticipated fluctuations in the operating results of the Company due to factors related to the Company’s business;

 

  success or failure of the strategy of the Company;

 

  the interim or annual earnings of the Company, or those of other companies in the Company’s industry;

 

  the Company’s ability to obtain third-party financing as needed;

 

  announcements by us or the Company’s competitors of significant acquisitions or dispositions;

 

  changes in accounting standards, policies, guidance, interpretations or principles;

 

  the operating and stock price performance of other comparable companies;

 

  investor perception of the Company;

 

  natural or environmental disasters that investors believe may affect the Company;

 

  overall market fluctuations;

 

  a large sale of the Class B Ordinary Shares by a significant shareholder;

 

  results from any material litigation or government investigation;

 

  changes in laws and regulations affecting the Company or any of the principal products and services sold by the Company; and

 

  general economic and political conditions and other external factors.

 

In addition, the stock markets have experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have affected and continue to affect the market prices of equity securities of many companies. Share prices of many companies have fluctuated in a manner unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of those companies. In the past, shareholders have filed securities class litigation following periods of market volatility. If we were to become involved in securities litigation, it could subject us to substantial costs, divert resources and the attention of management from our business, and adversely affect our business.

 

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We may experience extreme stock price volatility unrelated to our actual or expected operating performance, financial condition or prospects, making it difficult for prospective investors to assess the rapidly changing value of the Class B Ordinary Shares.

 

The US stock market has witnessed instances of extreme stock price run-ups followed by rapid price declines in 2022 and such share price volatility seemed unrelated to the issuers’ performance subsequent to their recent initial public offerings, especially among companies with relatively smaller public floats. After the consummation of this offering, we will have a relatively small public float due to the relatively small size of this offering and the concentration of ownership of the Ordinary Shares in our principal shareholders. As a relatively small-capitalized company with a small public float after this offering, the share price of the Class B Ordinary Shares may experience extreme volatility, lower trading volume and less liquidity than large-capitalized companies. Although the specific cause of such volatility is unclear, our anticipated small public float may amplify the impact the actions taken by a few shareholders have on the price of the Class B Ordinary Shares, which may cause the share price to deviate, potentially significantly, from a price that better reflects the underlying performance of our business. The potential extreme volatility may confuse public investors regarding the value of the shares, distort the market perception of the share price and our company’s financial performance and public image, and negatively affect the long-term liquidity of the Class B Ordinary Shares, regardless of our actual or expected operating performance. Should the Class B Ordinary Shares experience run-ups and declines that are seemingly unrelated to our actual or expected operating performance and financial condition or prospects, prospective investors may have difficulty assessing the rapidly changing value of the Class B Ordinary Shares and our ability to access the capital market may be materially adversely affected. In addition, if the trading volumes of the Class B Ordinary Shares are low, holders of the Class B Ordinary Shares may also not be able to readily liquidate their investment or may be forced to sell at depressed prices due to low volume trading. As a result of this volatility, investors may experience losses on their investment in the Class B Ordinary Shares.

 

We may not be able to maintain a listing of the Class B Ordinary Shares on Nasdaq.

 

Once the Class B Ordinary Shares are listed on Nasdaq, we must meet certain financial and liquidity criteria to maintain such listing. If we fail to meet Nasdaq’s continued listing requirements, the Class B Ordinary Shares may be delisted. In addition, our board of directors may determine that the cost of maintaining our listing on a national securities exchange outweighs the benefits of such listing. A delisting of the Class B Ordinary Shares from Nasdaq may materially impair our shareholders’ ability to buy and sell the Class B Ordinary Shares and could have an adverse effect on the market price of, and the efficiency of the trading market for, the Class B Ordinary Shares. The delisting of the Class B Ordinary Shares could significantly impair our ability to raise capital and the value of your investment.

 

If securities or industry analysts publish unfavorable research, or do not continue to cover us, the Company’s share price and trading volume could decline.

 

The trading market for the Class B Ordinary Shares depends in part on the research and reports that securities or industry analysts publish about us and the Company’s business. We do not have any control over these analysts. If an analyst downgrades the Class B Ordinary Shares or publishes unfavorable research about the Company’s business, the Company’s share price would likely decline. If an analyst ceases coverage of us or fails to publish reports on us regularly, we could lose visibility in the financial markets and demand for the Class B Ordinary Shares could decrease, which could cause the share price or trading volume to decline.

 

As the initial public offering price of the Class B Ordinary Shares is substantially higher than our net tangible book value per share, you will experience immediate and substantial dilution.

 

If you purchase Class B Ordinary Shares in this offering, you will pay more for your Class B Ordinary Shares than the amount paid by LZ Technology’s existing shareholders for their shares on a per share basis. As a result, you will experience immediate and substantial dilution in net tangible book value per share in relation to the price that you paid for your shares. We expect the dilution as a result of the offering to be $[   ] per share to new investors purchasing the Class B Ordinary Shares in this offering, assuming a public offering price of $[   ] per share, which is the midpoint of the estimated initial public offering price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus. See “Dilution” for a more complete description of how the value of your investment in the Class B Ordinary Shares will be diluted upon completion of this offering.

 

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We have broad discretion as to the use of the net proceeds from this offering and our use of the offering proceeds may not yield a favorable return on your investment. Additionally, we may use these proceeds in ways with which you may not agree or in the most effective way.

 

The Company intends to use the net proceeds of this offering for several purposes including research and development, international expansions, strategic acquisitions, marketing efforts and working capital. Accordingly, management of the Company will have substantial discretion in applying the net proceeds to be received by the Company. However, based on unforeseen technical, commercial or regulatory issues, we could spend the proceeds in ways with which you may not agree. Moreover, the proceeds may not be invested effectively or in a manner that yields a favorable or any return, and consequently, this could result in financial losses that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. There can be no assurance that the Company will utilize the net proceeds in a manner that enhances value of the Company. If the Company fails to spend the proceeds effectively, the Company’s business and financial condition could be harmed, and there may be the need to seek additional financing sooner than expected.

 

We have not historically declared or paid dividends on the Class B Ordinary Shares and, consequently, your ability to achieve a return on your investment will depend on appreciation in the price of the Class B Ordinary Shares.

 

We have not historically declared or paid dividends on the Class B Ordinary Shares. We currently intend to invest the Company’s future earnings, if any, to fund the Company’s growth, to develop the Company’s business, for working capital needs, to reduce debt and for general corporate purposes. We do not expect to declare or pay any dividends in the foreseeable future. Therefore, the success of an investment in the Class B Ordinary Shares will depend upon any future appreciation in their value. There is no guarantee that the Class B Ordinary Shares will appreciate in value or even maintain their current value.

 

Any decision to pay dividends in the future will be at the full discretion of the Company’s board of directors and will depend upon various factors then existing, including earnings, financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements, level of indebtedness, restrictions imposed by applicable law, general business conditions and other factors that the Company’s board of directors may deem relevant.

 

Substantial future sales of the Class B Ordinary Shares or the anticipation of future sales of the Class B Ordinary Shares in the public market could cause the price of the Class B Ordinary Shares to decline.

 

Sales of substantial amounts of the Class B Ordinary Shares in the public market after this offering, or the perception that these sales could occur, could cause the market price of the Class B Ordinary Shares to decline. An aggregate of 54,282,402 Class B Ordinary Shares are issued and outstanding before the consummation of this offering. An aggregate of [   ] Class B Ordinary Shares will be issued and outstanding immediately after the consummation of this offering. Sales of these shares into the market could cause the market price of the Class B Ordinary Shares to decline.

 

We may issue additional equity or debt securities, which are senior to the Class B Ordinary Shares as to distributions and in liquidation, which could materially adversely affect the market price of the Class B Ordinary Shares.

 

In the future, we may attempt to increase our capital resources by entering into additional debt or debt-like financing that is secured by all or up to all of our assets, or issuing debt or equity securities, which could include issuances of commercial paper, medium-term notes, senior notes, subordinated notes or shares. In the event of our liquidation, our lenders and holders of our debt securities would receive a distribution of our available assets before distributions to our shareholders. In addition, any additional preferred stock, if issued by our company, may have a preference with respect to distributions and upon liquidation, which could further limit our ability to make distributions to our shareholders. Because our decision to incur debt and issue securities in our future offerings will depend on market conditions and other factors beyond our control, we cannot predict or estimate the amount, timing or nature of our future offerings and debt financing.

 

Further, market conditions could require us to accept less favorable terms for the issuance of our securities in the future. Thus, you will bear the risk of our future offerings reducing the value of your Class B Ordinary Shares and diluting your interest in our company.

 

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We will be subject to ongoing public reporting requirements that are less rigorous than Exchange Act rules for companies that are not emerging growth companies, and the shareholders could receive less information than they might expect to receive from more mature public companies.

 

Upon the completion of this offering, we will be required to publicly report on an ongoing basis as an “emerging growth company” (as defined in the JOBS Act) under the reporting rules set forth under the Exchange Act. For so long as we remain an emerging growth company, we may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other Exchange Act reporting companies that are not emerging growth companies, including but not limited to:

 

not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act;
   
being permitted to comply with reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements; and
   
being exempt from the requirement to hold a non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.

 

In addition, Section 107 of the JOBS Act also provides that an emerging growth company can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards. In other words, an emerging growth company can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. As a result of our election to take advantage of such extended transition period, our financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with public company effective dates.

 

We expect to take advantage of these reporting exemptions until we are no longer an emerging growth company. We would remain an emerging growth company until the earlier of (1) the last day of the fiscal year (a) following the fifth anniversary of the completion of this offering, (b) in which we have total annual gross revenue of at least $1.235 billion, or (c) in which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which means the market value of the Class B Ordinary Shares that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the prior June 30, and (2) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt during the prior three-year period. Because we will be subject to ongoing public reporting requirements that are less rigorous than Exchange Act rules for companies that are not emerging growth companies, the shareholders could receive less information than they might expect to receive from more mature public companies. We cannot predict if investors will find the Class B Ordinary Shares less attractive if we elect to rely on these exemptions, or if taking advantage of these exemptions would result in less active trading or more volatility in the price of the Class B Ordinary Shares.

 

Our Chairman, Mr. Andong Zhang, has significant voting power and may take actions that may not be in the best interests of our other shareholders.

 

As of the date of this prospectus, Mr. Andong Zhang beneficially owns 9,589,248 Class A Ordinary Shares and 26,807,883 Class B Ordinary Shares, representing approximately 81.70% of the voting power of the outstanding Ordinary Shares of the Company before this offering. After this offering, Mr. Andong Zhang will continue to hold in aggregate approximately [   ]% of the voting power of the Company’s outstanding Ordinary Shares. As such, Mr. Andong Zhang will be able to control the management and affairs of our Company and most matters requiring shareholder approval, including the election of directors and approval of significant corporate transactions. His interests may not be the same as or may even conflict with your interests. For example, he could attempt to delay or prevent a change in control of us, even if such change in control would benefit our other shareholders, which could deprive our shareholders of an opportunity to receive a premium for their Class B Ordinary Shares as part of a sale of us or our assets, and might affect the prevailing market price of the Class B Ordinary Shares due to investors’ perceptions that conflicts of interest may exist or arise. As a result, this concentration of voting power may not be in the best interests of our other shareholders.

 

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Upon the completion of this offering, we expect to be a “controlled company” under the rules of Nasdaq and as a result, we may choose to exempt our company from certain corporate governance requirements that could have an adverse effect on our public shareholders.

 

Under Nasdaq’s rules, a company of which more than 50% of the voting power is held by an individual, group or another company is a “controlled company” and may elect not to comply with certain corporate governance requirements, including, without limitation, (i) the requirement that a majority of the board of directors consist of independent directors, (ii) the requirement that the compensation of our officers be determined or recommended to our board of directors by a compensation committee that is comprised solely of independent directors, and (iii) the requirement that director nominees be selected or recommended to the board of directors by a majority of independent directors or a nominating committee comprised solely of independent directors. As of the date of this prospectus, Mr. Andong Zhang, the beneficial owner of all of our outstanding Class A Ordinary Shares, held approximately 81.70% of the voting power of our outstanding share capital. Following this offering, taking into consideration the Class B Ordinary Shares expected to be offered hereby, Mr. Andong Zhang will retain controlling voting power in the Company based on having approximately [   ]% (or approximately [   ]% if the underwriters exercise the over-allotment option in full) of all voting rights. As a result, we will be a “controlled company” within the meaning of the Nasdaq listing rules. Although we currently do not intend to rely on the “controlled company” exemption, we could elect to rely on this exemption in the future. If we elected to rely on the “controlled company” exemption, a majority of the members of our board of directors might not be independent directors and our nominating and corporate governance and compensation committees might not consist entirely of independent directors. Our status as a controlled company could cause the Class B Ordinary Shares to look less attractive to certain investors or otherwise harm our trading price.

 

We are a foreign private issuer within the meaning of the rules under the Exchange Act, and as such we are exempt from certain provisions applicable to U.S. domestic public companies.

 

Because we qualify as a foreign private issuer under the Exchange Act, we are exempt from certain provisions of the securities rules and regulations in the United States that are applicable to U.S. domestic issuers, including:

 

the rules under the Exchange Act requiring the filing with the SEC of quarterly reports on Form 10-Q or current reports on Form 8-K;

 

Section 14 of the Exchange Act regulating the solicitation of proxies, consents, or authorizations in respect of a security registered under the Exchange Act;

 

Section 16 of the Exchange Act requiring insiders to file public reports of their stock ownership and trading activities and liability for insiders who profit from trades made in a short period of time; and

 

the selective disclosure rules by issuers of material nonpublic information under Regulation FD.

 

We are required to file an annual report on Form 20-F within four months of the end of each fiscal year. In addition, we may publish our results on a quarterly basis as press releases, distributed pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Nasdaq Stock Market. Press releases relating to financial results and material events will also be furnished to the SEC in reports on Form 6-K. However, the information we are required to file with or furnish to the SEC will be less extensive and less timely compared to that required to be filed with the SEC by U.S. domestic issuers. As a result, you may not be afforded the same protections or information that would be made available to you were you investing in a U.S. domestic issuer.

 

As a foreign private issuer, we are permitted to rely on exemptions from certain Nasdaq corporate governance standards applicable to domestic U.S. issuers. This may afford less protection to holders of the Class B Ordinary Shares.

 

We are exempted from certain corporate governance requirements of Nasdaq by virtue of being a foreign private issuer. As a foreign private issuer, we are permitted to follow the governance practices of our home country, the Cayman Islands, in lieu of certain corporate governance requirements of Nasdaq. As result, the standards applicable to us are considerably different than the standards applied to domestic U.S. issuers. For instance, we are not required to:

 

have a majority of the board be independent (although all of the members of the audit committee must be independent under the Exchange Act);

 

have a compensation committee and a nominating committee to be comprised solely of “independent directors”; or

 

hold an annual meeting of shareholders no later than one year after the end of our fiscal year.

 

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Nasdaq listing rules may require shareholder approval for certain corporate matters, such as requiring that shareholders be given the opportunity to vote on all equity compensation plans and material revisions to those plans, and certain Ordinary Share issuances. We intend to comply with the requirements of Nasdaq listing rules to have a majority of the board be independent and to appoint a compensation committee and a nominating and corporate governance committee comprised solely of independent directors. We may, however, in the future consider following home country practice in lieu of the requirements under Nasdaq listing rules with respect to certain corporate governance standards which may afford less protection to investors than they would otherwise enjoy under the Nasdaq corporate governance listing standards applicable to U.S. domestic issuers.

 

We may lose our foreign private issuer status in the future, which could result in significant additional costs and expenses.

 

We expect to qualify as a foreign private issuer upon the completion of this offering. We would lose our foreign private issuer status if, for example, more than 50% of our voting securities are directly or indirectly held by residents of the United States and we fail to meet additional requirements necessary to maintain our foreign private issuer status. If we lose our foreign private issuer status on this date, we will be required to file with the SEC periodic reports and registration statements on U.S. domestic issuer forms, which are more detailed and extensive than the forms available to a foreign private issuer. We will also have to mandatorily comply with U.S. federal proxy requirements, and our officers, directors, and principal shareholders will become subject to the short-swing profit disclosure and recovery provisions of Section 16 of the Exchange Act. In addition, we will lose our ability to rely upon exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements under the Nasdaq rules. As a U.S.-listed public company that is not a foreign private issuer, we will incur significant additional legal, accounting, and other expenses that we will not incur as a foreign private issuer in order to maintain a listing on a U.S. securities exchange.

 

You will be unable to present proposals before annual general meetings or extraordinary general meetings.

 

Cayman Islands law provides shareholders with only limited rights to convene a general meeting and does not provide shareholders with any right to put any proposal before a general meeting. LZ Technology’s memorandum and articles of association do not provide its shareholders with any right to put any proposals before annual general meetings or extraordinary general meetings.

 

Certain judgments obtained against us by LZ Technology’s shareholders may not be enforceable.

 

LZ Technology is a Cayman Islands company and substantially all of the Company’s assets are located outside of the United States. Substantially all of the Company’s current operations are conducted in China.

 

In addition, most of LZ Technology’s directors and officers are nationals or residents of mainland China or Hong Kong and all or a substantial portion of their assets are located outside the U.S. As a result, it may be difficult for investors to effect service of process within the U.S. upon us or these persons, or to enforce against us or them judgments obtained in U.S. courts, including judgments predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws or securities laws of any U.S. state. Even if you are successful in bringing an action of this kind, the laws of the Cayman Islands and of China may render you unable to enforce a judgment against the Company’s assets or the assets of the Company’s directors and officers. See “Enforceability of Civil Liabilities.”

 

You may face difficulties in protecting your interests, and your ability to protect your rights through U.S. courts may be limited, because LZ Technology is incorporated under Cayman Islands law.

 

LZ Technology is an exempted company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands. Its corporate affairs are governed by the memorandum and articles of association, the Companies Act (As Revised) of the Cayman Islands and the common law of the Cayman Islands. The rights of its shareholders to take action against the directors, actions by the minority shareholders and the fiduciary duties of the directors to LZ Technology under Cayman Islands law are to a large extent governed by the common law of the Cayman Islands. The common law of the Cayman Islands is derived in part from comparatively limited judicial precedent in the Cayman Islands as well as from the common law of England, the decisions of whose courts are of persuasive authority, but are not binding, on a court in the Cayman Islands. The rights of LZ Technology’s shareholders and the fiduciary duties of its directors under Cayman Islands law are not as clearly established as they would be under statutes or judicial precedent in some jurisdictions in the United States. In particular, the Cayman Islands have a less developed body of securities laws than the United States. Some U.S. states, such as Delaware, have more fully developed and judicially interpreted bodies of corporate law than the Cayman Islands. In addition, Cayman Islands companies may not have standing to initiate a shareholder derivative action in a federal court of the United States.

 

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Shareholders of Cayman Islands exempted companies like LZ Technology have no general rights under Cayman Islands law to inspect corporate records or to obtain copies of lists of shareholders of these companies. LZ Technology’s directors have discretion under the memorandum and articles of association to determine whether or not, and under what conditions, the corporate records may be inspected by LZ Technology’s shareholders, but are not obliged to make them available to the shareholders. This may make it more difficult for you to obtain the information needed to establish any facts necessary for a shareholder resolution or to solicit proxies from other shareholders in connection with a proxy contest.

 

As a result of all of the above, LZ Technology’s public shareholders may have more difficulty in protecting their interests in the face of actions taken by LZ Technology’s management, members of the board of directors or its controlling shareholders than they would as public shareholders of a company incorporated in the United States. For a discussion of significant differences between the provisions of the Companies Act (As Revised) of the Cayman Islands and the laws applicable to companies incorporated in the United States and their shareholders. See “Description of Share Capital—Differences in Corporate Law.”

 

LZ Technology’s memorandum and articles of association contain anti-takeover provisions that could discourage a third party from acquiring us, which could limit LZ Technology’s shareholders’ opportunity to sell their shares at a premium.

 

LZ Technology’s memorandum and articles of association contain provisions to limit the ability of others to acquire control of our company or cause us to engage in change-of-control transactions. These provisions could have the effect of depriving LZ Technology’s shareholders of an opportunity to sell their shares at a premium over prevailing market prices by discouraging third parties from seeking to obtain control of our company in a tender offer or similar transaction. For example, under the post offering memorandum and articles of association, LZ Technology’s board of directors has the authority, without further action by its shareholders, to issue preferred shares up to 10,000,000 shares in one or more series and to fix their designations, powers, preferences, privileges, and relative participating, optional or special rights and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions, including dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption and liquidation preferences, any or all of which may be greater than the rights associated with the Class B Ordinary Shares. Preferred shares could be issued quickly with terms calculated to delay or prevent a change in control of our company or make removal of management more difficult. If LZ Technology’s board of directors decides to issue preferred shares, the price of the Class B Ordinary Shares may fall and the voting and other rights of the holders of the Class B Ordinary Shares may be materially and adversely affected. In addition, LZ Technology’s memorandum and articles of association contain other provisions that could limit the ability of third parties to acquire control of our company or cause us to engage in a transaction resulting in a change of control.

 

There is a risk that we will be a passive foreign investment company for any taxable year, which could result in adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. investors in the Class B Ordinary Shares.

 

In general, a non-U.S. corporation is a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, for any taxable year in which (i) 75% or more of its gross income consists of passive income or (ii) 50% or more of the average quarterly value of its assets consists of assets that produce, or are held for the production of, passive income. For purposes of the above calculations, a non-U.S. corporation that owns at least 25% by value of the shares of another corporation is treated as if it held its proportionate share of the assets of the other corporation and received directly its proportionate share of the income of the other corporation. Passive income generally includes dividends, interest, rents, royalties and certain gains. Cash is a passive asset for these purposes.

 

Based on the expected composition of our income and assets and the value of our assets, including goodwill, we do not expect to be a PFIC for our current taxable year. However, the proper application of the PFIC rules to a company with a business such as ours is not entirely clear. Because the proper characterization of certain components of our income and assets is not entirely clear, and because our PFIC status for any taxable year will depend on the composition of our income and assets and the value of our assets from time to time (which may be determined, in part, by reference to the market price of the Class B Ordinary Shares, which could be volatile), there can be no assurance that we will not be a PFIC for our current taxable year or any future taxable year.

 

If we were a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. investor holds the Class B Ordinary Shares, certain adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences could apply to such U.S. investor. See “Taxation—United States Federal Income Tax Considerations—Passive Foreign Investment Company Considerations.”

 

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General Risk Factors

 

Adverse developments in general business and economic conditions as well as conditions in the global capital market could have an adverse effect on the demand for the Company’s services, the business, and the financial condition and results of operations of the Company and its customers.

 

If the Chinese gross domestic product increases at a slow rate or if economic growth declines, demand for our services and products will be adversely affected. In addition, volatility in the global capital market, which impacts interest rates, currency exchange rates and the availability of credit, could have an adverse effect on the business, financial condition and results of operations of the Company and the Company’s customers. Financial difficulties of customers, whether as a result of a downturn in general economic or industry conditions or otherwise, may result in failures of customers to timely pay amounts due or adversely affect the collectability of the Company’s accounts receivable, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations. A bankruptcy or liquidity event by one or more of the Company’s customers could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

We are currently operating in a period of economic uncertainty and capital markets disruption, which has been impacted by geopolitical instability due to the military conflict between Russia and Ukraine and armed conflicts between Israel and Hamas. Our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected by any negative impact on the global economy and capital markets resulting from the conflict in Ukraine, the Gaza Strip or any other geopolitical tensions.

 

Global markets have experienced volatility and disruption following the escalation of geopolitical tensions, including the military conflict between Russia and Ukraine and armed conflicts between Israel and Hamas. Although the length and impact of the ongoing military conflict is highly unpredictable, such conflicts could lead to market disruptions, including significant volatility in commodity prices, credit and capital markets, as well as supply chain interruptions. We are continuing to monitor the situation in Ukraine, the Gaza Strip and globally and assessing its potential impact on our business. In addition, sanctions on Russia and hostilities involving Israel could adversely affect the global economy and financial markets and lead to instability and lack of liquidity in capital markets, potentially making it more difficult for us to obtain additional funds.

 

Any of the above mentioned factors could affect our business, prospects, financial condition, and operating results. The extent and duration of the military actions, sanctions and resulting market disruptions are impossible to predict, but could be substantial. Any such disruptions may also magnify the impact of other risks described in this registration statement.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

 

We estimate that we will receive net proceeds from this offering of approximately $[   ] million, or approximately $[   ] million if the underwriter exercises the over-allotment option in full, after deducting underwriting discounts, the non-accountable expense allowance and the estimated offering expenses payable by us. These estimates are based upon an assumed initial public offering price of $[   ] per share, which is the midpoint of the estimated initial public offering price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus. A $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price of $[   ] per share would increase (decrease) the net proceeds to us from this offering by $[   ] million, assuming the number of Class B Ordinary Shares offered hereby, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same and after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts, the non-accountable expense allowance and estimated expenses payable by us.

 

The primary purposes of this offering are to create a public market for the Class B Ordinary Shares for the benefit of all shareholders, retain talented employees by providing them with equity incentives and obtain additional working capital. We currently intend to use the net proceeds of this offering as follows:

 

approximately 20%, or $[   ] million, to fund research and development efforts related to our capabilities for advertisement placement across various channels;

 

approximately 20%, or $[   ] million, to fund research and development efforts related to access control monitors and IoT technology;

 

approximately 20%, or $[    ] million, to fund international expansions;

 

approximately 13%, or $[   ] million, to fund strategic acquisitions or investment in complementary businesses or assets within, or similar to, our existing business. As of the date of this prospectus, we have not identified any specific projects to be undertaken or businesses and/or assets to be acquired or invested;

 

approximately 7%, or $[   ] million, to fund marketing efforts for recruiting merchant clients; and

 

approximately 20%, or $[   ] million, to fund working capital and general corporate purposes.

 

The foregoing represents our current intentions to use and allocate the net proceeds of this offering based upon our present plans and business conditions. Our management, however, will have broad discretion in the way that we use the net proceeds of this offering. Pending the final application of the net proceeds of this offering, we intend to invest the net proceeds of this offering in short-term, interest-bearing, investment-grade securities. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to this Offering and the Market for the Class B Ordinary Shares Generally—We have broad discretion as to the use of the net proceeds from this offering and our use of the offering proceeds may not yield a favorable return on your investment. Additionally, we may use these proceeds in ways with which you may not agree or in the most effective way.

 

In utilizing the proceeds from this offering, we are permitted under PRC laws and regulations to provide funding to PRC subsidiaries only through loans or capital contributions, and only if we satisfy the applicable government registration and approval requirements. The relevant filing and registration processes for capital contributions typically take approximately eight weeks to complete. The filing and registration processes for loans typically take approximately four weeks or longer to complete. While we currently see no material obstacles to completing the filing and registration procedures with respect to future capital contributions and loans to PRC subsidiaries, we cannot assure you that we will be able to complete these filings and registrations on a timely basis, or at all. We cannot assure you that we will be able to meet these requirements on a timely basis, if at all. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—PRC regulation of loans to and direct investment in PRC entities by offshore holding companies and currency conversion policies may delay us from using the proceeds of this offering to make loans or additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries, which could materially and adversely affect the Company’s liquidity and the Company’s ability to fund and expand its business.” 

 

Pending use of the net proceeds, we intend to hold our net proceeds in short-term, interest-bearing, financial instruments or demand deposits.

 

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DIVIDEND POLICY

 

We have not previously declared, or paid cash dividends and we have no plan to declare or pay any dividends in the near future on the Class B Ordinary Shares. We currently intend to retain most, if not all, of our available funds and future earnings to operate and expand our business.

 

LZ Technology is a holding company incorporated in the Cayman Islands and it relies principally on dividends from its PRC subsidiaries for its cash requirements, including any payment of dividends to its shareholders. PRC regulations may restrict the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to pay dividends to LZ Technology. See “Regulation—Regulations Related to Dividend Distributions.” and “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—Currency conversion policies may limit our ability to utilize our revenues effectively and affect the value of your investment.”

 

LZ Technology’s board of directors has discretion as to whether to distribute dividends, subject to certain restrictions under Cayman Islands law, namely that it may only pay dividends out of its profits or share premium account, and provided always that in no circumstances may a dividend be paid if this would result in it being unable to pay its debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business. Even if the board of directors of LZ Technology decides to pay dividends, the form, frequency and amount will depend upon our future operations and earnings, capital requirements and surplus, general financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors that the board of directors may deem relevant.

 

50

 

 

CAPITALIZATION

 

As of the date of this prospectus, LZ Technology’s authorized share capital is $50,000 divided into 500,000,000 shares with a par value of $0.0001 each comprising (a) 20,000,000 Class A Ordinary Shares with a par value of $0.0001, (b) 480,000,000 Class B Ordinary Shares with a par value of $0.0001. There are 9,589,248 Class A Ordinary Shares and 54,282,402 Class B Ordinary Shares issued and outstanding as of the date of this prospectus. Class A Ordinary Shares are entitled to ten (10) votes per share, and Class B Ordinary Shares are entitled to one (1) vote per share. Other than voting and conversion rights, Class A Ordinary Shares and Class B Ordinary Shares have the same rights and preferences and rank equally.

 

The following table sets forth our total capitalization as of June 30, 2023:

 

on an actual basis; and

 

on an as adjusted basis to give effect to the issuance and sale of [   ] Class B Ordinary Shares in this offering at an assumed initial public offering price of $[   ] per share, the midpoint of the estimated initial public offering price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, after deducting the underwriting discounts, non-accountable expense allowance and estimated offering expenses payable by us (assuming the over-allotment option is not exercised).

 

You should read this table together with our consolidated financial statements, the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus and the information under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

 

   As of June 30, 2023 
           As Adjusted (the 
           underwriters do not
exercise their
 
           option to purchase 
   Actual   additional shares)(1) (2) 
   RMB   USD   RMB   USD 
Class A Ordinary Shares (par value of US$0.0001 per share; 20,000,000 Class A Ordinary Shares authorized, 9,589,248 Class A Ordinary Shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2021 and 2022, and June 30, 2023, respectively)*   7    1           
Class B Ordinary Shares (par value of US$0.0001 per share; 480,000,000 Class B Ordinary Shares authorized, 48,445,122, 52,471,800 and 54,282,402 Class B Ordinary Shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2021 and 2022, and June 30, 2023, respectively)*   39    5           
Additional paid in capital   181,568    25,039           
Accumulated deficit   (153,290))   (21,140))          
Total shareholders’ equity attributable to LZ Technology   28,324    3,905           
Non-controlling interests   1,886    260           
Total shareholders’ equity   30,210    4,165           
Total capitalization   30,210    4,165           

 

(1)As adjusted information discussed above is illustrative only. Our additional paid-in capital, accumulative profits, accumulative other comprehensive loss, total shareholder’s equity and total capitalization following the completion of this offering are subject to adjustment based on the actual initial public offering price and other terms of this offering determined at pricing.

 

(2)Assuming the number of Class B Ordinary Shares offered hereby, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same, and after deducting underwriting discounts, non-accountable expense allowance and estimated offering expenses payable by us, a $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price of $[   ] per share, the midpoint of the estimated initial public offering price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, would increase (decrease) each of additional paid-in capital, total shareholders’ equity and total capitalization by $[   ] million.

 

51

 

 

DILUTION

 

If you invest in the Class B Ordinary Shares, your interest will be diluted to the extent of the difference between the initial public offering price per Class B Ordinary Share and our net tangible book value per Class B Ordinary Share after this offering. Dilution results from the fact that the assumed initial public offering price per Class B Ordinary Share is substantially in excess of the net tangible book value per Ordinary Share attributable to the existing shareholders for the presently outstanding Ordinary Shares on an as-converted basis.

 

Our net tangible book value was approximately $[   ] million, or $[   ] per Ordinary Share, as of June 30, 2023. Our net tangible book value represents the amount of our total consolidated tangible assets (which is calculated by subtracting deferred tax assets from our total consolidated assets), less the amount of our total consolidated liabilities. Dilution is determined by subtracting net tangible book value per Ordinary Share after giving effect to the proceeds we will receive from this offering, at an assumed initial public offering price of $[   ] per Class B Ordinary Share, which is the midpoint of the estimated initial public offering price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, and after deducting underwriting discounts, non-accountable expense allowance, and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

 

After giving effect to the sale of $[    ] of Class B Ordinary Shares in this offering at an assumed initial public offering price of $[   ] per Class B Ordinary Share, the midpoint of the estimated initial public offering price range, assuming no exercise of over-allotment option and after deducting underwriting discounts, non-accountable expense allowance, and estimated offering expenses payable by us, but without adjusting for any other change in our net tangible book value subsequent to June 30, 2023, our pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value would have been $[ ] per Ordinary Share. This represents an immediate increase in net tangible book value of $[   ] per Ordinary Share to the existing shareholders and immediate dilution of $[   ] per Ordinary Share to new investors purchasing Class B Ordinary Shares in this offering. The following table illustrates this per Ordinary Share dilution to the new investors purchasing Class B Ordinary Shares in this offering:

 

Assumed initial public offering price per Class B Ordinary Share  $[  ]
Net tangible book value per Ordinary Share at June 30, 2023  $[  ]
Pro forma net tangible book value per Ordinary Share after this offering  $[  ]
Dilution in net tangible book value per Ordinary Share to new investors in this offering  $[  ]

 

A $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed public offering price of $[   ] per Class B Ordinary Share would increase (decrease) our pro forma net tangible book value after giving effect to the offering by $[   ] million, the net tangible book value per Ordinary Share after giving effect to this offering by $[   ] per Ordinary Share and the dilution in net tangible book value per Ordinary Share to new investors in this offering by $[   ] per Ordinary Share, assuming no change to the number of Class B Ordinary Shares offered hereby as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, no exercise of over-allotment option and after deducting underwriting discounts, non-accountable expense allowance and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

 

The pro forma information discussed above is illustrative only. Our net tangible book value following the completion of this offering is subject to adjustment based on the actual initial public offering price of the Class B Ordinary Shares and other terms of this offering determined at pricing.

 

The following tables summarize the differences between the existing shareholders and the new investors with respect to the number of Class B Ordinary Shares purchased from us in this offering, the total consideration paid and the average price per Class B Ordinary Share paid at an assumed initial public offering price of $[   ] per Class B Ordinary Share, and before deducting estimated underwriting discounts, non-accountable expense allowance and estimated offering expenses (assuming no exercise of over-allotment option).

 

           Average 
   Share Purchased   Total Consideration   Price 
   Number   Percent   Amount   Percent   Per Share 
Existing shareholders*   63,871,650    [  ]   $6,387    [  ]   $0.0001 
New investors   [  ]    [  ]   $[  ]    [  ]   $[  ] 
Total   [  ]    100%  $[  ]    100%  $[  ] 

 

*Including 9,589,248 Class A Ordinary Shares and 54,282,402 Class B Ordinary Shares, each of par value of $0.0001. Each Class A Ordinary Share is convertible into one (1) Class B Ordinary Share after the completion of this offering.

 

52

 

 

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. This discussion and analysis and other parts of this prospectus contain forward-looking statements based upon current beliefs, plans and expectations that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Our actual results and the timing of selected events could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of several factors, including those set forth under “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this prospectus. You should carefully read the “Risk Factors” section of this prospectus to gain an understanding of the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our forward-looking statements.

 

Overview

 

The Company is an information technology and advertising company. Its operations are organized primarily into three business verticals: (i) Smart Community, (ii) Out-of-Home Advertising, and (iii) Local Life.

 

In the Smart Community vertical, the Company provides intelligent community building access and safety management systems through access control monitors and vendor-provided SaaS platforms. The Company’s intelligent community access control system makes resident access to properties simpler. As of the date of this prospectus, approximately 73,717 of the Company’s access control screens have been installed in over 4,000 residential communities, serving over 2.7 million households. Approximately 73,717 access control screens have been installed between 2016 and 2023. Among them, approximately 64,023 access control screens are owned by the Company, and approximately 9,694 access control screens were sold to third parties while the Company maintains the right to place advertisements on such devices. The Company distributes access control devices and systems via various channels, but mainly through direct sale of hardware and/or software and turnkey projects. While we believe the number of control access screens installed and the numbers of communities, households and cities served by such screens provide historical context for the geographical reach of our community building access control systems, our management has not used them as key metrics in managing our business and we do not intend to regularly disclose these numbers in future periodic filings.

 

The Company’s Out-of-Home Advertising vertical offers clients one-stop multi-channel advertising solutions. Capitalizing on the Company’s network of monitors that span approximately 120 cities in China such as Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Nanjing, Xiamen, Hefei, Dalian, Ningbo, Chengdu, Hangzhou, Wuhan, Chongqing, Changsha, the Company’s Out-of-Home Advertising services help merchants display advertisements in a variety of formats across its intelligent access control and safety management system. Advertisements are placed on the monitors and within the SaaS software. Residents are exposed to these advertisements each time they enter and exit community buildings or open the SaaS software. This level of visibility serves as a highly effective means of advertising, assisting merchants in effectively promoting their brands and accelerating their product sales. Moreover, the Company partners with other outdoor advertising providers to maximize coverage by placing the advertisements on the partners’ numerous displays in public transportation, hotels and other settings as well as deploying posters at events. This broad approach provides clients with a truly comprehensive out-of-home advertising solution.

 

In the Local Life vertical, the Company connects local businesses with consumers via online promotions and transactions. With its strong technological capabilities, the Company helps local restaurants, hotels, tourist companies, retail stores, cinemas and other merchants offer deals and coupons to consumers on social media platforms such as WeChat, Douyin (the Chinese version of TikTok) and Xiaohongshu. The Local Life vertical bridges the businesses’ need for product sales and promotions and the consumers’ need for dining, shopping, entertainment, tourist attractions and other local services. In addition, deals from local businesses can also be displayed on the access control screens. In this way, clients of the Company’s Local Life services can also reach the Smart Community residents, leveraging the Company’s access control screens’ extensive coverage and high exposure potential. Since early 2023, we have embarked on executing the strategy of deepening engagement with merchants and manufacturers within our Local Life space through facilitating retail sales of diversified goods and services, including beverages, groceries and travel packages.

 

The Company reports financial results in one segment. Currently, a substantial portion of the Company’s revenues are generated from advertising and promotional activities, namely by the Out-of-Home Advertising and Local Life verticals. Revenues from Smart Community, which mainly consist of product sales of access control devices and service fees, contribute only a small portion to the Company’s total revenues. Thus, the Smart Community revenues are grouped with other miscellaneous revenue sources, such as advertising design and production and social media account operations, under the catch-all category titled “Other Revenues” in the description of the Company’s revenues.

 

Our total revenues increased by RMB82.0 million, or 101.1%, to RMB163.0 million ($22.5 million) for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to RMB81.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. Our total revenues increased by RMB148.1 million, or 351.1%, to RMB190.3 million ($26.2 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2023, compared to RMB42.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022. Our net loss decreased by RMB33.7 million, or 69.5%, to RMB14.8 million ($2.0 million) for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to RMB48.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. We had net income of RMB1.3 million ($0.2 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2023, compared to net loss of RMB9.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022. For additional information regarding our financial performance, see “Summary Consolidated Financial Information” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

 

53

 

 

Key Factors That Affect Operating Results

 

The historical performance and outlook for our business are influenced by numerous factors, including the following:

 

Our ability to maintain our major customers.

 

A significant portion of our revenue is generated from a small number of major customers, the loss of, or significant reduction of business with, one or more of which could have a material adverse effect on our business. For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, the Company has a total of 103 and 247 customers, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2023, we have a total of 128 and 102 customers, respectively. However, for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, our top three customers collectively accounted for approximately 69.3% and 84.4% of our revenue, respectively. The top three customers who accounted for 84.4% of our revenue in 2022 were Guangzhou Xie Lv Information Technology Co., Ltd. (“Xie Lv”) (32%), East Entertainment (Fujian) Culture Media Co., Ltd. (“East Entertainment”) (28%) and Beijing Baidu Netcom Science Technology Co., Ltd. (“Baidu”) (25%). For the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2023, our top three customers collectively accounted for approximately 62.4% and 50.0% of our revenue, respectively. Our top three customers during the first six months ended June 30, 2023 were Jiangxi Xielvshuke Media Technology Co., Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Xie Lv (hereinafter also referred to as “Xie Lv”) (28.3%), East Entertainment (12.9%) and Shenzhen Qianhai Spark Society Data Media Co., Ltd. (“Spark Society”) (8.8%). Our arrangements with these three top customers were different from each other. For a description of material terms of our agreements with each of the three customers, please see “Business—Customers—Major Customers.” Failure to retain our existing customers, or enter into relationships with new customers, each on acceptable terms, could materially impact our business, financial condition, results of operations and ability to meet our current and long-term financial forecasts.

 

We cannot assure you that our customer relationships will continue as presently in effect. There is no assurance any of our customers will continue to utilize our services, renew our existing contracts, or continue at the same volume levels. A reduction in or termination of our services by one or more of our major customers could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Our ability to compete successfully.

 

The market for our services is highly competitive. We face competition from other companies in the residential security technology sector and the advertising industries. Our competition is mainly focused on factors such as improving coverage, audience engagement and brand awareness, and customer attraction and retention.

 

Some of our competitors or potential competitors have a longer operating history and therefore may have better funding, managerial, technical, marketing resources and other resources than we do. They may use their experience and resources to compete with us in a number of ways, including competing more aggressively for customers and completing more acquisitions. Some of our competitors may enter into business partnership agreements with each other to compete against us, which may affect our ability to obtain additional consumers. Competitors in our industry may be acquired, merged with, or partnered with integrated groups in our industry that are able to invest significant resources in the operations for further investment. If we are unable to compete effectively with our existing and future competitors at reasonable cost, our business, prospects, and results of operations could be materially and negatively affected.

 

Continued investments in research and development and innovation.

 

Our financial performance will be significantly dependent on our ability to maintain and grow our advertising income. We have an independent research and development team that develops new products and features. To maintain our competitive advantage, we expect to invest substantially and responsibly in research and development activities to increase our market share. We develop most of our key technologies in-house to support a rapid pace of innovation. Accordingly, we dedicate significant resources towards research and development and invest heavily in recruiting talent.

 

54

 

 

Key Components of Our Results of Operations

 

Revenues

 

The Company reports financial results in one segment. Its revenues are organized into four categories:

 

(i) Out-of-Home Advertising revenues, generated through advertisement display via our community access control devices, or channels provided by subcontractors. In this category, we compete in the out-of-home advertising sector in China.

 

(ii) Local Life – E-Commerce Promotion revenues, earned by promoting vouchers through e-commerce platforms, including WeChat mini programs and Douyin, for merchants. In this category, we compete in the consumer service e-commerce advertising sector in China.

 

(iii) Local Life – Retail Sales revenues, generated from sales of diversified products, such as alcohol, travel packages, and groceries. In this category, we compete in the retail sector in China.

 

(iv) Other Revenues, which primarily comprise advertising design and production, operation services for merchants’ online accounts, devices sales, software development services, operation and maintenance of community devices. In this catch-all category, the principal markets concerned are community building access control and online marketing sectors in China.

 

All of our revenues were derived from China for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, and for the six months ended June 30, 2023.

 

Our breakdown of revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2023 is summarized as below:

 

   For the six months ended June 30,   Variances   Percentage of Total
Revenues
 
   2022   2023   Amount   Percentage   First six
months of
2022
   First six
months of
2023
 
   RMB’000   RMB’000   US$’000   RMB’000   %   %   % 
Out-of-Home Advertising   35,079    153,543    21,175    118,464    337.7%   83.2%   80.7%
Local Life - E-Commerce Promotion   3,715    2,163    298    (1,552)   (41.8%)   8.8%   1.1%
Local Life - Retail Sales   35    27,099    3,737    27,064    77325.7%   0.1%   14.2%
Other services   3,355    7,481    1,032    4,126    123.0%   7.9%   4.0%
Total revenues   42,184    190,286    26,242    148,102    351.1%   100.0%   100.0%

 

Our breakdown of revenues for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022 is summarized as below:

 

   For the Years Ended
December 31,
   Variances   Percentage of Total
Revenues
 
   2021   2022   Amount   Percentage   2021   2022 
   RMB’000   RMB’000   US$’000   RMB’000   %         
Out-of-Home Advertising   67,652    149,024    20,551    81,372    120.3%   83.5%   91.5%
Local Life   4,904    9,057    1,249    4,153    84.7%   6.1%   5.6%
Other Revenues   8,489    4,871    672    (3,618)   (42.6)%   10.4%   2.9%
Total revenues   81,045    162,952    22,472    81,907    101.1%   100%   100%

 

 

55

 

 

Cost of Revenues

 

Cost of revenues represents costs and expenses incurred in order to generate revenue. Our cost of revenues primarily consists of (i) commissions paid to agents and subcontractors, (ii) depreciation expenses for community access control devices, (iii) operation fees for Local Life services, such as distribution commissions, (iv) procurement costs for retail sales from suppliers, and (v) other costs.

 

Our breakdown of cost of revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2023 is set forth as below:

 

   For the six months ended June 30,   Variances 
   2022   2023   Amount   Percentage 
   RMB’000   RMB’000   US$’000   RMB’000   % 
Out-of-Home Advertising   31,464    145,538    20,071    114,074    362.6%
Local Life - E-Commerce Promotion   2,708    770    106    (1,938)   (71.6%)
Local Life - Retail Sales   -    26,164    3,608    26,164    N/A 
Other services   1,163    340    47    (823)   (70.8%)
Total cost of revenues   35,335    172,812    23,832    137,477    389.1%

 

*N/A represents not applicable

 

Our breakdown of cost of revenues for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022 is set forth as below:

 

    For the Years Ended December 31,     Variances  
    2021     2022     Amount     Percentage  
    RMB’000     RMB’000     US$’000     RMB’000     %  
Out-of-Home Advertising     63,620       138,678       19,125       75,058       118.0 %
Local Life     2,038       2,179       300       141       6.9 %
Other Revenues     4,368       2,243       309       (2,125 )     (48.6 )%
Total cost of revenues     70,026       143,100       19,734       73,074       104.4 %

 

Gross Profit

 

Our gross profit equals to our revenue less our cost of revenues. Our gross profit is primarily affected by our ability to generate revenue and the fluctuation of our cost.

 

Our cost of revenues increased by 389.1% from RMB35.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022 to RMB172.8 million ($23.8 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2023, which was primarily attributable to the increase of commission fees paid to agents and subcontractors, and procurement costs for Retail Sales from suppliers. Our gross profit margin was 16.2% and 9.2%, respectively, for the same periods. Our breakdown of gross profit by business line for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2023 is set forth below:

 

   For the six months ended June 30,     
   2022   2023   Variance 
   RMB’000   RMB’000   US$’000   RMB’000 or % 
Out of Home Advertising                
Gross profit   3,615    8,005    1,104    4,390 
Gross margin   10.3%   5.2%   5.2%   (5.1%)
Local Life - E-Commerce Promotion                    
Gross profit   1,007    1,393    192    386 
Gross margin   27.1%   64.4%   64.4%   37.3%
Local Life - Retail Sales                    
Gross profit   35    935    129    900 
Gross margin   100.0%   3.5%   3.5%   (96.5%)
Other services                    
Gross profit   2,192    7,141    985    4,949 
Gross margin   65.3%   95.5%   95.4%   30.1%
Total                    
Gross profit   6,849    17,474    2,410    10,625 
Gross margin   16.2%   9.2%   9.2%   (7.1%)

 

56

 

 

Our cost of revenues increased by 104.4% from RMB70.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 to RMB143.1 million ($19.7 million) for the year ended December 31, 2022, which was primarily attributable to the increase of commission fees paid to agents and subcontractors. Our gross profit margin was 13.6% and 12.2%, respectively, for the same periods. Our breakdown of gross profit by business line for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022 is set forth below:

 

   For the Years ended December 31,     
   2021   2022   Variance 
   RMB’000   RMB’000   US$’000   RMB’000 or % 
Out-of-Home Advertising                    
Gross profit   4,032    10,346    1,426    6,314 
Gross margin   6.0%   6.9%   6.9%   1.0%
Local Life                    
Gross profit   2,866    6,878    949    4,012 
Gross margin   58.4%   75.9%   75.9%   17.5%
Other Revenues                    
Gross profit   4,121    2,628    363    (1,493)
Gross margin   48.5%   54.0%   53.9%   5.4%
Total                    
Gross profit   11,019    19,852    2,738    8,833 
Gross margin   13.6%   12.2%   12.2%   (1.4)%

 

Operating expenses

 

The following table sets forth our operating expenses, both in absolute amount and as a percentage of the total operating expenses, for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2023:

 
   For the six months ended June 30, 
   2022   2023   Percentage 
   RMB’000   %   RMB’000   US$’000   % 
Selling expenses   7,919    48.4    8,437    1,164    49.5 
General and administrative expenses   4,953    30.3    5,524    765    32.4 
Research and development expenses   3,498    21.3    3,098    427    18.1 
Total operating expenses   16,370    100.0    17,059    2,356    100.0 

 

The following table sets forth our operating expenses, both in absolute amount and as a percentage of the total operating expenses, for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022:

 

   For the Years Ended December 31, 
   2021   2022   Percentage 
   RMB’000   %   RMB’000   US$’000   % 
Selling expenses   10,059    39.7    22,049    3,041    52.7 
General and administrative expenses   8,867    35.0    12,859    1,773    30.7 
Research and development expenses   6,414    25.3    6,927    955    16.6 
Total operating expenses   25,340    100.0    41,835    5,769    100.0 

 

Operating expenses include selling expenses, general and administrative expenses and research and development expenses. Selling expenses mainly consists of (i) labor expenses for sales personnel, (ii) maintenance fee, (iii) information technology service fee related to selling and marketing activities, (iv) advertisement and business promotion expenses and (v) other miscellaneous selling expenses. General and administrative expenses mainly consist of (i) salary and welfare for general and administrative personnel, (ii) professional service fee, (iii) rental fee, (iv) office expenses, (v) depreciation related to general and administrative departments and (vi) other corporate expenses. Research and development expenses consist primarily of (i) salary and welfare for research and development personnel, (ii) information technology service fee, (iii) professional fee, and (iv) other miscellaneous research and development expenses.

 

We anticipate that our operating expenses will continue to increase as we hire additional personnel and incur additional costs in connection with the expansion of our business operations and in anticipation to become a listed company.

 

57

 

 

Other (expenses)/income, net

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2023, other (expenses)/income, net primarily consists of (i) financial expenses, (ii) input VAT additional deduction income, (iii) income from disposal of long-term investments, and (iv) government subsidy.

 

For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, other (expenses)/income, net primarily consists of (i) financial expenses, (ii) income from disposal of subsidiary, (iii) income from disposal of equipment, (iv) government subsidy, and (v) litigation gain.

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2022 Compared to for the six months ended June 30, 2023

 

The following table sets forth a summary of our unaudited condensed consolidated results of operations for the periods indicated. This information should be read together with our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. The operating results in any period are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any future period.

 

   For the six months ended June 30,   Change 
   2022   2023   2023   Amount   % 
   RMB’000   US$’000   RMB’000     
Revenues   42,184    190,286    26,242    148,102    351.1%
Cost of revenues   (35,335)   (172,812)   (23,832)   (137,477)   389.1%
Gross profit   6,849    17,474    2,410    10,625    155.1%
Operating expenses                         
Selling and marketing expenses   (7,919)   (8,437)   (1,164)   (518)   6.5%
General and administrative expenses   (4,953)   (5,524)   (765)   (571)   11.5%
Research and development expenses   (3,498)   (3,098)   (427)   400    (11.4)%
Total operating expenses   (16,370)   (17,059)   (2,356)   (689)   4.2%
Operating (loss)/profit   (9,521)   415    54    9,936    (104.4)%
                          
Other income, net                         
Financial expenses, net   40    (159)   (22)   (199)   (497.5)%
Income from disposal of subsidiary   184    -    -    (184)   100.0%
Input VAT additional deduction income   -    1,872    258    1,872    100.0%
Other income, net   305    131    18    (174)   (57.0)%
Total other income, net   529    1,844    254    1,315    248.6%
(Loss)/income before income tax expenses   (8,992)   2,259    308    11,251    (125.1)%
Income tax expenses   (1)   (926)   (128)   (925)   92,500.0%
Net (loss)/income   (8,993)   1,333    180    10,326    (114.8)%

 

Revenues

 

Total revenues increased by approximately RMB148.1 million, or 351.1%, from approximately RMB42.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022 to approximately RMB190.3 million ($26.2 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2023, primarily attributable to the growth of our Out-of-Home Advertising and Retail Sales.

 

Revenues from our Out-of-Home Advertising increased by RMB118.5 million, or 337.7%, from RMB35.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022 to RMB153.5 million ($21.2 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2023. The increase was mainly attributable to ten customers newly acquired in 2023, contributing revenues of RMB124.0 million ($17.1 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2023, as we concentrated more resources in Out-of-Home Advertising services and actively seek new customers and expanded the market. After excluding revenues generated from the above ten newly acquired customers in 2023, the revenue from existing customers decreased by RMB5.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023 compared to the same period of 2022. Out-of-Home Advertising revenues tend to fluctuate because they were based on short-term projects that need advertisements.

 

Revenues from our Local Life – E-Commerce Promotion services decreased by RMB1.6 million, or 41.8%, from RMB3.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022 to RMB2.2 million ($0.3 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2023. Customers of our e-commerce promotion business are mainly merchants, who are relatively small-scale companies, resulting in higher transaction volumes but lower transaction value. The transaction volumes decreased from 0.5 million in the first six months of 2022 to 0.3 million in the same period of 2023 due to the divestment of Henduoka on November 23, 2022, which led to a deduction in our revenues from Local Life – E-Commerce Promotion services.

 

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Revenues from our Local Life - Retail Sales increased sharply by RMB27.1 million, from RMB0.04 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022 to RMB27.1 million ($3.7 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2023, primarily attributable to sales of alcohol, travel packages, groceries and other goods to ten new customers for the six months ended June 30, 2023. Since early 2023, we have been focusing on developing an extensive retail network, covering both upstream and downstream. This network is built to reach community residents served by our intelligent access control system, providing them with more convenient and streamlined shopping experience.

 

Other Revenues increased by RMB4.1 million, or 123.0%, from RMB3.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022 to RMB7.5 million ($1.0 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2023. The increase was mainly attributable to our software development services generated from one contract in the first half of 2023 for installing smart community digital platforms, which contributing revenues of RMB6.7 million ($0.9 million) during the six months ended June 20, 2023. After excluding revenues generated from the software development services, the remaining revenue decreased by RMB1.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023 compared to the same period of 2022, which was primarily attributable to a decrease in revenue generated from selling our own community access control devices, as we pivoted towards the Out-of-Home Advertising, Local Life – E-Commerce Promotion, and Local Life - Retail Sales. However, we expect that the decrease in revenues generated from selling our own community access control devices will not have a material adverse impact on our other revenue streams, including the Out-of-Home Advertising revenue. There is no direct relationship between the Out-of-Home Advertising revenue and the community access control devices sales, because we generate advertising revenues mainly via our self-owned community access control devices.

 

Cost of Revenues

 

Our cost of revenues increased by 389.1% from RMB35.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022 to RMB172.8 million ($23.8 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2023.

 

Our cost of revenues for Out-of-Home Advertising increased by approximately RMB114.1 million, or 362.6%, from approximately RMB31.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022 to approximately RMB145.5 million ($20.1 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2023, which was primarily attributed to increased commissions paid to agents and subcontractors in order to attract new customers.

 

Our cost of revenues for Local Life – E-Commerce Promotion services decreased by approximately RMB1.9 million, or 71.6%, from approximately RMB2.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022 to approximately RMB0.8 million ($0.1 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2023. Our cost of revenues from Local Life – E-Commerce Promotion services decreased in line with the decrease in revenues from this category, as a result of the divestment of Henduoka.

 

Our cost of revenues for Local Life - Retail Sales increased to 26.2 million ($3.6 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2023 from nil for the six months ended June 30, 2022, which was in line with the increase in revenues from provision of Retail Sales services since early 2023.

 

Our cost of revenues for Other Revenues decreased by approximately RMB0.8 million, or 70.8%, from approximately RMB1.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022 to approximately RMB0.3 million ($0.05 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2023. Although our revenues from software development services increased sharply in 2023, we only incurred research and development cost of RMB0.2 million ($0.03 million) as we only needed to upgrade the original software for this project. After excluding cost incurred for the software development services, the remaining cost decreased by RMB1.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023 compared to the same period of 2022, which was in line with the decrease in revenues from other types of revenue streams.

 

Gross Profit

 

Our gross profit increased by RMB10.6 million, or 155.1%, from RMB6.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022 to RMB17.5 million ($2.4 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2023. For the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2023, our overall gross profit margin was 16.2% and 9.2%, respectively. The decrease in gross margin was mainly attributable to (i) a significant increase in the proportion of revenues from Out-of-Home Advertising with a lower gross margin of 10.3% and 5.2% for the years ended June 30, 2022 and 2023, respectively, as well as (ii) the provision of Local Life - Retail Sales services in the first half of 2023 which has a low gross margin of 3.5%. The low gross margins of our Out-of-Home Advertising services and Local Life - Retail Sales were primary due to our strategy of ceding partial profits to acquire more customers, in order to open relevant markets and build our reputation in quality and service.

 

Gross profit margin of our Local Life – E-Commerce Promotion services increased from 27.1% for the six months ended June 30, 2022 to 64.4% for the six months ended June 30, 2023, resulting from relatively lower transaction costs due to economies of scale and cost control.

 

Gross profit margin of our Other Revenues increased from 65.3% for the six months ended June 30, 2022 to 95.5% for the six months ended June 30, 2023 mainly due to our cost control.

 

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Operating Expenses

 

Operating expenses increased from RMB16.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022 to RMB17.1 million ($2.4 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2023, representing a year-on-year increase of 4.2%. This increase was primarily attributable to the increases in our general and administrative expenses, and to a lesser extent, our selling expenses. We anticipate that our operating expenses will continue to increase as we hire additional personnel and incur additional costs in connection with the expansion of our business operations and going public.

 

Selling expenses

 

Selling expenses increased by 6.5% from RMB7.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022 to RMB8.4 million ($1.2 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2023, which was primarily attributable to (i) an increase of RMB1.4 million in screen related equipment maintenance fee due to the company’s strategy of improving service quality and the increase in equipment quantity, (ii) an increase of RMB0.1 million in travel expenses due to the fact that with the recovery of COVID-19, the Company had arranged more travel for business communication, (iii) an increase of RMB0.1 million in advertisement and business promotion expenses to promote business, and was offset by a decrease of RMB1.1 million in payroll due to the divestment of Henduoka. For the six months ended June 30, 2022 and June 30, 2023, selling expenses as a percentage of revenue were 18.8% and 4.4%, respectively.

 

General and administrative expenses

 

General and administrative expenses increased by 11.5% from RMB5.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022 to RMB5.5 million ($0.8 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2023, which was primarily attributable to an increase of RMB1.3 million in professional service fee mainly including audit fees, offshore restructuring registration fees, and consulting fees related to listing, and was offset by (i) a decrease of RMB0.3 million in bank charges due to the divestment of Henduoka, which generates more transaction fee than other subsidiaries due to its service nature, (ii) a decrease of RMB0.3 million in payroll due to several junior staff resigned, resulting in a decrease in the number of personnel in general and administrative department and (iii) a decrease of RMB0.1 million in leasehold improvements due to the Company renovated the office in 2022.

 

Research and development expenses

 

Research and development expenses decreased by 11.4% from RMB3.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022 to RMB3.1 million ($0.4 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2023, mainly due to a decrease of RMB0.8 million in payroll expenses due to the divestment of Henduoka, and was offset by an increase of RMB0.5 million in information technology related fees due to the Company’s increased research and development expenses for upgrading smart community digital platform features to improve equipment efficiency.

 

Other non-operating (expense)/income, net

 

Other non-operating (expense)/income, net consists of input VAT additional deduction income, income from disposal of long-term investments, other income, net and financial expenses, net.

 

Input VAT additional deduction income increased by 100.0% from nil for the six months ended June 30, 2022 to RMB1.9 million ($0.3 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2023, mainly due to the tax benefits for VAT additional deduction.

 

Income from disposal of long-term investments was RMB0.2 million and nil for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2023, respectively, mainly due to gains from the transfers of Wuhan Lianzhanghui Technology Co., Ltd. in 2022.

 

Other income, net consists of investment income (loss), net and other non-operating income (expense), net. Other income, net decreased by 57.0% from RMB0.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022 to RMB0.1 million ($0.02 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2023, which was primarily attributable to in May 2022, a deposit of RMB0.2 million did not need to be refunded due to a customer canceling the cooperation in advance, which did not occur in 2023.

 

We incurred financial expenses of RMB0.2 million ($0.02 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2023 compared to financial income of RMB0.04 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022, which was primarily attributable to financial expenses accrued from two bank loans obtained in the second half year of 2022.

 

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Income taxes expenses

 

As a result of our operating income position for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2023, we incurred income tax expenses of RMB1,285 and RMB925,723 ($127,663) for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2023, respectively.

 

Net (loss)/income

 

As a result of the foregoing, we have net income of RMB1.3 million ($0.2 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2023, compared to net loss of RMB9.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022.

 

Year Ended December 31, 2021 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2022

 

The following table sets forth a summary of our consolidated results of operations for the periods indicated. This information should be read together with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. The operating results in any period are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any future period.

 

   For the years ended December 31,   Change   
   2021   2022   2022   Amount   % 
   RMB’000   US$’000   RMB’000     
Revenues   81,045    162,952    22,472    81,907    101.1%
Cost of revenues   (70,026)   (143,100)   (19,734)   (73,074)   104.4%
Gross profit   11,019    19,852    2,738    8,833    80.2%
Operating expenses                         
Selling and marketing expenses   (10,059)   (22,049)   (3,041)   (11,990)   119.2%
General and administrative expenses   (8,867)   (12,859)   (1,773)   (3,992)   45.0%
Research and development expenses   (6,414)   (6,927)   (955)   (513)   8.0%
Total operating expenses   (25,340)   (41,835)   (5,769)   (16,495)   65.1%
Operating loss   (14,321)   (21,983)   (3,031)   (7,662)   53.5%
                          
Other non-operating (expense)/income, net                         
Financial expenses, net   (34,770)   (18)   (2)   34,752    (99.9)%
Income from disposal of subsidiary   -    4,318    595    4,318    100.0%
Income from disposal of long-term investments   -    475    66    475    100.0%
Other income, net   641    2,411    332    1,770    276.1%
Total other (expenses)/income, net   (34,129)   7,186    991    41,315    (121.1)%
Loss before income tax expenses   (48,450)   (14,797)   (2,040)   33,653    (69.5)%
Income tax expenses   (8)   -    -    8    (100.0)%
Net loss   (48,458)   (14,797)   (2,040)   33,661    (69.5)%

 

Revenues

 

Total revenues increased by approximately RMB81.9 million, or 101.1%, from approximately RMB81.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 to approximately RMB163.0 million ($22.5 million) for the year ended December 31, 2022, primarily attributable to the growth of our Out-of-Home Advertising and Local Life services.

 

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Revenues from our Out-of-Home Advertising increased by RMB81.4 million, or 120.3%, from RMB67.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 to RMB149.0 million ($20.6 million) for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase was mainly contributed by two customers newly acquired in 2022, generating RMB51.9 million and RMB45.3 million, respectively. After excluding revenues generated from the above two newly acquired customers in 2022, the remaining revenue decreased by RMB15.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to 2021. Out-of-Home Advertising revenue can fluctuate because essentially, it was based on short-term projects which need advertisements. Therefore, the decrease for the remaining revenues was mainly related to the advertising campaign for the brand “Crayon Xiao Xin”, for one of the customers, for which most of the services were performed in 2021. Revenues generated from this event were RMB11.1 million and RMB 0.7 million, respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022. With the expansion of our Out-of-Home Advertising in 2022, the percentage of revenue generated from Out-of-Home Advertising increased from 83.5% in 2021 to 91.5% in 2022.

 

Revenues from our Local Life services increased by RMB4.2 million, or 84.7%, from RMB4.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 to RMB9.1 million ($1.2 million) for the year ended December 31, 2022. Customers from e-commerce promotion businesses are mainly merchants, who are relatively small-scale companies, resulting in higher transaction volumes but lower transaction value. The transaction volumes increased rapidly from 0.4 million in 2021 to 1.1 million in 2022. As a result of expansion, revenues from Local Life services almost doubled in 2022.

 

Other Revenues decreased by RMB3.6 million, or 42.6%, from RMB8.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 to RMB4.9 million ($0.7 million) for the year ended December 31, 2022. The decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease in revenue generated from selling our own community access control devices and software development, as we centralized our businesses on Out-of-Home Advertising and Local Life services. However, the decrease in revenues generated from selling our own community access control devices is unlikely to negatively impact Out-of-Home Advertising revenue going forward. There is no direct relationship between the Out-of-Home Advertising revenue and the community access control devices sales, because we generate advertising revenues mainly via our self-owned community access control devices.

 

Cost of Revenues

 

Our cost of revenues increased by 104.4% from RMB70.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 to RMB143.1 million ($19.7 million) for the year ended December 31, 2022.

 

Our cost of revenues for Out-of-Home Advertising increased by approximately RMB75.1 million, or 118.0%, from approximately RMB63.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 to approximately RMB138.7 million ($19.1 million) for the year ended December 31, 2022. The primary reason was attributed to the increasing commissions paid to agents and subcontractors in order to attract new customers. Additionally, depreciation expenses for community access control devices increased by 191.7%, from RMB3.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 to RMB8.6 million ($1.2 million) for the year ended December 31, 2022, as most of the acquired devices for advertising display began depreciation starting from the fourth quarter of 2021.

 

Our cost of revenues for Local Life services increased by approximately RMB0.2 million, or 6.9%, from approximately RMB2.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 to approximately RMB2.2 million ($0.3 million) for the year ended December 31, 2022. Our cost of revenues from Local Life services increased slightly due to our effective control of cost.

 

Our cost of revenues for Other Revenues decreased by approximately RMB2.1 million, or 48.6%, from approximately RMB4.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 to approximately RMB2.2 million ($0.3 million) for the year ended December 31, 2022. The decrease was in line with the decrease in revenues from Other Revenues.

 

Gross Profit

 

Our gross profit increased by RMB8.8 million, or 80.2%, from RMB11.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 to RMB19.9 million ($2.7 million) for the year ended December 31, 2022. For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, our overall gross profit margin was 13.6% and 12.2%, respectively.

 

Gross profit margin of Out-of-Home Advertising increased from 6.0% for the year ended December 31, 2021 to 6.9% for the year ended December 31, 2022 mainly due to the growth of our community monitors and increase of our brand awareness.

 

Gross profit margin of our Local Life services increased from 58.4% for the year ended December 31, 2021 to 75.9% for the year ended December 31, 2022, resulting from boosted transaction orders, with relatively lower transaction costs due to cost control.

 

Gross profit margin of our Other Revenues increased from 48.5% for the year ended December 31, 2021 to 54.0% for the year ended December 31, 2022 mainly due to cost control.

 

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Operating Expenses

 

Operating expenses increased from RMB25.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 to RMB41.8 million ($5.8 million) for the year ended December 31, 2022, representing a year-on-year increase of 65.1%. This increase was primarily attributable to the increases in our selling expenses, general and administrative expenses and, to a lesser extent, our research and development expenses. We anticipate that our operating expenses will continue to increase as we hire additional personnel and incur additional costs in connection with the expansion of our business operations and in anticipation for becoming a listed company.

 

Selling expenses

 

Selling expenses increased by 119.2% from RMB10.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 to RMB22.0 million ($3.0 million) for the year ended December 31, 2022, which was primarily attributable to an increase of RMB10.9 million in employee payroll and commission resulting from our business growth. Selling expenses as a percentage of revenues remain relatively stable for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, at 12.4% and 13.5%, respectively.

 

General and administrative expenses

 

General and administrative expenses increased by 45.0% from RMB8.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 to RMB12.9 million ($1.8 million) for the year ended December 31, 2022, which was primarily attributable to (i) an increase of RMB1.1million in staff cost due to an increase of employee headcounts resulting from our business growth; (ii) an increase of RMB2.8 million in professional service fee mainly including audit fees, offshore restructuring registration fees, and consulting fees related to listing.

 

Research and development expenses

 

Research and development expenses increased by 8.0% from RMB6.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 to RMB6.9 million ($1.0 million) for the year ended December 31, 2022, mainly due to an increase of RMB1.0 million in employee payroll and commission resulting from our increased investment in research and development activities; (ii) an increase of RMB0.1 million in depreciation expenses and was offset by (i) a decrease of RMB0.6 million in information technology service fees which mainly include server fees, and the decrease was mainly due to the government’s preferential policies provided to server suppliers in 2022, and suppliers simultaneously providing the company with a fee reduction of RMB0.3 million.

 

Other non-operating (expense)/income, net

 

Other non-operating (expense)/income, net consists of income from disposal of subsidiary, income from disposal of long-term investments, other income, net and financial expenses, net.

 

Income from disposal of subsidiary increased by 100.0% from nil for the year ended December 31, 2021 to RMB4.3 million ($0.6 million) for the year ended December 31, 2022, mainly due to the gains from the transfer of Henduoka in 2022.

 

Income from disposal of long-term investments increased by RMB0.5 million mainly due to gains from the transfers of Wuhan Lianzhanghui Technology Co., Ltd., Qingdao Lianzhanghui Network Co., Ltd. and Jinan Lianzhanghui Network Co., Ltd. in 2022.

 

Other income, net consists of investment income (loss), net and other non-operating income(expense), net increased by 276.1% from RMB0.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 to RMB2.4 million ($0.3 million) for the year ended December 31, 2022, which was primarily attributable to (i) an increase of RMB1.8 million in other gains or losses mainly due the compensation from a dispute settled in 2022, and was offset by (i) a decrease of RMB0.4 million in government subsidy income of Lianzhang Portal in 2022.

 

Financial expenses, net decreased by 99.9% from RMB34.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 to RMB0.02 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, which was primarily attributable to the decrease of paying commitment fees for short-term borrowings from 89 third-party cooperators.

 

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Income taxes expenses

 

Our income tax expenses were RMB7,681 and nil for the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, respectively. This decrease was primarily attributable to previous tax losses utilization for the year ended December 31, 2022.

 

Net loss

 

As a result of the foregoing, our net loss decreased by RMB33.7 million, or 69.5%, from RMB48.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 to RMB14.8 million ($2.0 million) for the year ended December 31, 2022.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

In assessing our liquidity, we monitor and analyze our cash on-hand and our operating and capital expenditure commitments. To date, we have financed our working capital requirements from cash flow from operations, debt and equity financings and capital contributions from our existing shareholders.

 

We had cash and cash equivalents balance of RMB5.1 million and RMB7.0 million ($1.0 million) as of December 31, 2021 and 2022, respectively. As of December 31, 2022 and June 30, 2023, we had cash and cash equivalents balance of RMB7.0 million and RMB18.4 million ($2.5 million), respectively. Our cash and cash equivalents primarily consist of cash on hand and cash in bank. As of June 30, 2023, 100.0% of our cash and cash equivalents were held in mainland China and were denominated in Renminbi.

 

Our net cash used in operating activities was RMB3.3 million ($0.5 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2023 compared with net cash generated from operating activities was RMB7.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022, which was mainly due to a significant growth in accounts receivable from our customers and a relatively slower growth in accounts payable to our suppliers with respect to our Out-of-Home Advertising and Local Life - Retail Sales services, leading to an increase in cash used in operating activities. Our net cash used in operating activities was RMB45.5 million in 2021, and in 2022, we achieved a reversal of negative cash flow, resulting in a net cash generated from operating activities of RMB2.5 million ($0.3)

 

Our negative working capital was approximately RMB23.4 million and RMB3.7 million ($0.5 million) as of December 31, 2022 and June 30, 2023.

 

The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted our business operations for the past two years. However, we expect the operating results will be improved as the economy has gradually recovered from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Besides, we have developed business plans to mitigate the above adverse conditions and events, including obtaining funds amounting to RMB64.5 million from two investors as capital injection and a revolving credit facility of RMB10.0 million with a ten-year term from a bank, which will be sufficient to meet anticipated working capital requirements and capital expenditures within the next 12 months from the date of this prospectus and that the working deficit will further decline or turn to profitability. After this offering, we may decide to enhance our liquidity position or increase our cash reserve for future investments through additional capital injection and financial activities. The issuance and sale of additional equity would result in further dilution to our shareholders. The incurrence of indebtedness would result in increased fixed obligations and could result in operating covenants that would restrict our business operations. We cannot assure you that any financing will be available in amounts or on terms acceptable to us, if at all.

 

Current foreign exchange and other regulations in the PRC may restrict our PRC entities in their ability to transfer their net assets to us and our subsidiaries in Hong Kong. However, as of the date of this prospectus, these restrictions have no impact on the ability of these PRC entities to transfer funds to us as we do not anticipate declaring or paying any dividends in the foreseeable future, as we plan to retain our retained earnings to continue to grow our business. In addition, these restrictions have no impact on the ability for us to meet our cash obligations.

 

To utilize the proceeds, we expect to receive from this offering, we may make additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiary, establish new PRC subsidiaries and make capital contributions to these new PRC subsidiaries, or make loans to the PRC subsidiaries. However, most of these uses are subject to PRC regulations. Foreign direct investment and loans must be approved by and/or registered with SAFE, and its local branches. The total amount of loans we can make to our PRC subsidiary cannot exceed statutory limits and must be registered with the local counterpart of SAFE.

 

We are permitted under PRC laws and regulations to provide funding to our PRC subsidiaries only through loans or capital contributions, and only if we satisfy the applicable government registration and approval requirements. The relevant filing and registration processes for capital contributions typically take approximately eight weeks to complete. The filing and registration processes for loans typically take approximately four weeks or longer to complete. While we currently see no material obstacles to completing the filing and registration procedures with respect to future capital contributions and loans to our PRC subsidiaries, we cannot assure you that we will be able to complete these filings and registrations on a timely basis, or at all. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—PRC regulation of loans to and direct investment in PRC entities by offshore holding companies and currency conversion policies may delay or prevent us from using the proceeds of this offering to make loans or make additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business.” Additionally, while there is no statutory limit on the amount of capital contribution that we can make to our PRC subsidiaries, loans provided to our PRC subsidiaries in the PRC are subject to certain statutory limits.

 

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The COVID-19 pandemic did not result in any material impairments, allowances, charges or changes in accounting judgments on our balance sheet as of December 31, 2022 and June 30, 2023. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic did not result in any change to the terms and conditions of our existing debt and other obligations, nor did it have any material negative effect on our ability to timely service them.

 

Cash Flows

 

Cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2022, compared to the six months ended June 30, 2023

 

The table below sets forth our cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2023.

 

   For the six months ended June 30,   Change 
   2022   2023   2023   Amount   % 
   RMB’000   US$’000   RMB’000     
Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities   7,020    (3,310)   (455)   (10,330)   (147.2)%
Net cash provided by investing activities   18,224    197    27    (18,027)   (98.9)%
Net cash (used in)/provided by financing activities   (19,348)   14,524    2,002    33,872    (175.1)%
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash   -    -    -    -    -
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents   5,896    11,411    1,574    5,515    93.5%
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the periods presented   5,134    6,982    963    1,848    36.0%
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the periods presented   11,030    18,393    2,537    7,363    66.8%

 

Operating activities

 

Net cash used in operating activities was RMB3.3 million ($0.5 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2023, which primarily reflected our net income of RMB1.3 million as mainly offset by depreciation of property and equipment of RMB4.8 million. Adjustment for changes in operating assets and liabilities primarily consisted of (i) an increase of RMB93.0 million in accounts receivable due to a steady growth in customers as a result of business expansion and higher penetration in markets; (ii) an increase of RMB2.2 million in advance to suppliers; (iii) an increase of RMB2.3 million in prepaid expenses and other current assets, primarily attributable to the input value-added tax return received in the first half of 2023; (iv) a decrease of RMB2.3 million in amounts due to related parties, offset by (i) an increase of RMB81.2 million in accounts payable; (ii) an increase of RMB7.1 million in tax payable as a result of our operating income position in 2023; (iii) an increase of RMB2.8 million in contract liabilities.

 

Net cash provided by operating activities was RMB7.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022, which primarily reflected our net loss of RMB9.0 million as mainly offset by depreciation of property and equipment of RMB4.5 million. Adjustment for changes in operating assets and liabilities primarily consisted of (i) an increase of RMB11.7 million in accounts payable; (ii) an increase of RMB19.5 million in contract liabilities; (iii) an increase of RMB10.0 million in accrued expenses and other current liabilities, primarily attributable to accrued payroll and welfare expenses and accrued service fees; and (iv) an increase of RMB16.7 million in amounts due to related parties, offset by (i) an increase of RMB3.5 million in accounts receivable; (ii) an increase of RMB22.2 million in advance to suppliers; (iii) an increase of RMB12.1 million in prepaid expenses and other current assets; and (iv) an increase of RMB9.1 million in amounts due from related parties.

 

Investing activities

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2023, our net cash provided by investing activities was RMB0.2 million ($0.03 million), which was primarily attributable to the proceeds from collection of loans to related parties with a total of RMB7.7 million in the first half of 2023, offset by (i) loans provided to related parties of RMB7.0 million; and (ii) purchase of property and equipment of RMB0.5 million.

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2022, our net cash provided by investing activities was RMB18.2 million, which was primarily attributable to the proceeds from collection of loans to related parties with a total of RMB24.3 million in 2022, offset by (i) loans provided to related parties of RMB1.0 million; (ii) investment in smart community related software of RMB4.7 million for the expansion of Local Life services; and (iii) purchase of property and equipment of RMB0.4 million.

 

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Financing activities

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2023, our net cash provided by financing activities was RMB14.5 million, which was primarily attributable to (i) proceeds from loans provided by related parties of RMB33.6 million; (ii) capital contribution by shareholders of RMB8.6 million, and was mainly offset by (i) repayments of short-term borrowings to 89 third-party cooperators of RMB3.6 million; (ii) repayment of loans to related parties of RMB23.0 million; and (iii) payment for deferred offering cost of RMB1.0 million.

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2022, our net cash used in financing activities was RMB19.3 million, which was primarily attributable to capital contribution by shareholders of RMB20.1 million, and was mainly offset by (i) repayments of short-term borrowings to 89 third-party cooperators of RMB6.5 million; and (ii) repayment of loans to related parties of RMB32.9 million.

 

Cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to the year ended December 31, 2022

 

The table below sets forth our cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022.

 

   For the Years Ended December 31,   Change 
   2021   2022   2022   Amount   % 
   RMB’000   US$’000   RMB’000     
Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities   (45,476)   2,486    341    47,962    (105.5)%
Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities   (54,268)   13,587    1,874    67,855    (125.0)%
Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities   101,718    (14,225)   (1,960)   (115,943)   (114.0)%
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash   -    -    -    -    -%
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents   1,974    1,848    255    (126)   (6.4)%
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the periods presented   3,160    5,134    708    1,974    62.5%
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the periods presented   5,134    6,982    963    1,848    36.0%

 

Operating activities

 

Net cash used in operating activities was RMB45.5 million in 2021, which primarily reflected our net loss of RMB48.5 million as mainly offset by depreciation of property and equipment of RMB4.1 million. Adjustment for changes in operating assets and liabilities primarily consisted of (i) an increase of RMB28.1 million in accounts receivable; (ii) an increase of RMB1.9 million in advance to suppliers; (iii) an increase in accounts receivable from related parties of RMB16.2 million for purchase of devices and Out-of-Home Advertising; (iv) a decrease of RMB4.1 million in prepaid expenses and other current assets, primarily attributable the input value-added tax return received in 2021; (v) an increase of RMB16.9 million in accounts payable; (vi) an increase of RMB8.9 million in accrued expenses and other current liabilities, primarily attributable accrued payroll and welfare, and distribution commission; (vii) an increase in accounts payable to related parties of RMB14.5 million for purchase of devices and accrued advertising commission fees.

 

Net cash provided by operating activities was RMB2.5 million ($0.3 million) in 2022, which primarily reflected our net loss of RMB14.8 million as mainly offset by depreciation of property and equipment of RMB9.0 million, amortization of intangible assets of RMB0.7 million and income from disposal of subsidiary of RMB4.3 million. Adjustment for changes in operating assets and liabilities primarily consisted of (i) an increase of RMB11.6 million in accounts receivable; (ii) a decrease of RMB2.6 million in advance to suppliers; (iii) an increase of RMB1.4 million in prepaid expenses and other current assets, primarily attributable the input value-added tax return received in 2022; (iv) an increase in accounts receivable from related parties of RMB2.9 million for purchase of devices and Out-of-Home Advertising; (v) an increase of RMB15.4 million in accounts payable; (vi) an increase of RMB6.0 million in accrued expenses and other current liabilities, primarily attributable accrued payroll, welfare and accrued service fee; (vii) an increase in accounts payable to related parties of RMB4.2 million for purchase of devices and accrued advertising commission fees.

 

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Investing activities

 

For the years ended December 31, 2021, our net cash used in investing activities was RMB54.3 million, which was primarily attributable to the purchase of property, equipment and software. For the expansion of Out-of-Home Advertising, we devoted to capital expenditure in devices with a total of RMB27.4 million in 2021. Besides, we also provided loans to related parties of RMB88.7 million, and proceeded for collection of loans to related parties with a total of RMB61.8 million in 2021.

 

For the years ended December 31, 2022, our net cash provided by investing activities was RMB13.6 million ($1.9 million), respectively, which was primarily attributable to the proceeded for collection of loans to related parties with a total of RMB25.8 million in 2022. We continually devoted to capital expenditure in devices with a total of RMB1.5 million in 2022, respectively. For the expansion of Local Life services, we invested in intelligent community-related software with a total of RMB4.7 million. We provided loans to related parties of RMB5.7 million. Besides, we disposed all of the remaining long-term investments, and we received RMB1.0 million in 2022. And we disposed subsidiary with cash loss of RMB1.3 million.

 

Financing activities

 

For the year ended December 31, 2021, our net cash provided by financing activities was RMB101.7 million, which was primarily attributable to (i) proceeds from short-term borrowings from 89 third-party cooperators of RMB96.4 million; (ii) proceeds from a loan provided by related parties of RMB47.5 million; (iii) capital contribution by shareholders of RMB9.7 million, and was mainly offset by (i) repayments of short-term borrowings to banks of RMB25.5 million; (ii) repayments of short-term borrowings to 89 third-party cooperators of RMB11.1 million; (iii) repayment of a loan to related parties of RMB15.1 million.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2022, our net cash used in financing activities was RMB14.2 million, which was primarily attributable to (i) proceeds from short-term borrowings from banks of RMB9.0 million; (ii) proceeds from a loan provided by related parties of RMB18.9 million; (iii) capital contribution by shareholders of RMB21.3 million, and was mainly offset by (i) repayments of short-term borrowings to 89 third-party cooperators of RMB11.9 million; (ii) repayment of a loan to related parties of RMB50.8 million.

 

Contingencies

 

From time to time, we may become involved in litigation relating to claims arising in the ordinary course of the business. There are no claims or actions pending or threatened against us that, if adversely determined, would in our judgment have a material adverse effect on us.

 

Capital Expenditures

 

We made capital expenditures of RMB5.1 million and RMB0.5 million ($0.06 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2023, respectively. We made capital expenditures of RMB27.4 million and RMB6.2 million ($0.9 million) for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, respectively. Our capital expenditure consisted primarily of expenditures of equipment and software related to the expansion of our Out-of-Home Advertising. We plan to fund our future capital expenditures with our existing cash balance and proceeds from this offering. We will continue to make capital expenditures to meet the expected growth of our business.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Commitments and Arrangements

 

We have not entered into any off-balance sheet financial guarantees or other off-balance sheet commitments to guarantee the payment obligations of any third parties. We have not entered into any derivative contracts that are indexed to our shares and classified as shareholder’s equity or that are not reflected in our consolidated financial statements. Furthermore, we do not have any retained or contingent interest in assets transferred to an unconsolidated entity that serves as credit, liquidity or market risk support to such entity. We do not have any variable interest in any unconsolidated entity that provides financing, liquidity, market risk or credit support to us or engages in leasing, hedging or product development services with us.

 

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Contractual Obligations

 

The following table sets forth our contractual obligations as of June 30, 2023:

 

   Payments due by period 
   Total   Within
one year
   Within
1-2 years
 
       RMB’000 
Bank borrowings   9,000    9,000          - 
Loans from third parties   22,513    22,513    - 
Total   31,513    31,513    - 

 

The following table sets forth our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2022:

 

    Payments due by period  
    Total     Within
one year
    Within
1-2 years
 
          RMB’000        
Bank borrowings     9,000       9,000                 -  
Loans from third parties     34,904       34,904       -  
Total     43,904       43,904       -  

 

Other than as shown above, we did not have any significant capital and other commitments, long-term obligations, or guarantees as of June 30, 2023 or December 31, 2022.

 

Holding Company Structure

 

LZ Technology is a holding company with no material operations of its own. We conduct our operations through our subsidiaries in China. As a result, LZ Technology’s ability to pay dividends depends upon dividends paid by our PRC subsidiaries. If our existing PRC subsidiaries or any newly formed ones incur debt on their own behalf in the future, the instruments governing their debt may restrict their ability to pay dividends to us.

 

In addition, our PRC subsidiaries are permitted to pay dividends to us only out of their retained earnings, if any, as determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. Our PRC subsidiaries had aggregate accumulated deficits as determined under PRC accounting standards as of June 30, 2023. Pursuant to the Company Law of the People’s Republic of China, or the PRC Company Law, our PRC subsidiaries are required to make contribution of at least 10% of their after-tax profits calculated in accordance with the PRC GAAP to the statutory common reserve. Contribution is required until the reserve fund has reached 50% of the registered capital of our subsidiaries. Remittance of dividends by our subsidiaries out of PRC is subject to certain procedures with the banks designated by SAFE. Our PRC subsidiaries have not paid dividends and will not be able to pay dividends until it generates accumulated profits and meets the requirements for statutory reserve funds.

 

As an offshore holding company, we are permitted under PRC laws and regulations to provide funding from the proceeds of our offshore fundraising activities to our subsidiaries in PRC only through loans or capital contributions and to the affiliated entities only through loans, in each case subject to the satisfaction of the applicable government registration and approval requirements.

 

We do not have any present plan to pay any cash dividends on our Ordinary Shares in the foreseeable future after this offering. We have, from time to time, transferred cash between our PRC subsidiaries to fund their operations, and we do not anticipate any difficulties or limitations on our ability to transfer cash between such subsidiaries. As of the date of this prospectus, no cash generated from our PRC subsidiaries has been used to fund operations of any of our non-PRC subsidiaries. We may encounter difficulties in our ability to transfer cash between PRC subsidiaries and non-PRC subsidiaries largely due to various PRC laws and regulations imposed on foreign exchange. However, as long as we are compliant with the procedures for approvals from foreign exchange authorities and banks in China, the relevant laws and regulations in China do not impose limitations on the amount of funds that we can transfer out of China. See “Regulation— Regulations Related to Foreign Exchange and Dividend Distribution” for details of such procedures.

 

Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

Prior to this offering, we have been a private company with limited accounting personnel and other resources with which to address our internal control over financial reporting. Our management has not completed an assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, and our independent registered public accounting firm has not conducted an audit of our internal control over financial reporting.

 

In the course of preparing and auditing our consolidated financial statements as of and for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, we and our independent registered public accounting firm identified three material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022. As defined in the standards established by the PCAOB, a “material weakness” is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim consolidated financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.

 

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Three material weaknesses that have been identified related to:

 

 

Our lack of sufficient and competent accounting staff and resources with appropriate knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) and SEC reporting and compliance requirements;

     
 

Our lack of robust and formal period-end financial reporting policies and procedures in place to address complex U.S. GAAP technical accounting and the SEC reporting requirements; and

     
  Our lack of sufficient controls designed and implemented in IT environment and IT general control activities, mainly associated with areas of access logical security, system change management, IT operations and cyber security monitoring activities.

 

To remedy our identified material weakness, we plan to improve our internal control over financial reporting through the following measures, among others:

 

(1)develop and implement a comprehensive set of processes and internal controls to timely and appropriately (i) identify transactions that may be subject to complex U.S. GAAP accounting treatment, (ii) analyze the transactions in accordance with the relevant U.S. GAAP, and (iii) review the accounting technical analysis;

 

(2)hire additional accounting staff members with U.S. GAAP and SEC reporting experiences to implement the abovementioned financial reporting procedures and internal controls to ensure the consolidated financial statements and related disclosures under U.S. GAAP and SEC reporting requirements are prepared appropriately on a timely basis;

 

(3)establish an ongoing training program to provide sufficient and appropriate trainings for accounting and financial reporting personnel, including trainings related to U.S. GAAP and SEC reporting requirements; and

 

  (4) strengthening the supervision and controls on the IT functions, including the enhancement of IT security policies and procedures setup, logical security, data backup and cyber security training.

 

However, we cannot assure you that we will remediate our material weakness in a timely manner. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and Industry—If we fail to implement and maintain an effective system of internal controls to remediate our material weakness over financial reporting, we may be unable to accurately report our results of operations, meet our reporting obligations or prevent fraud.”

 

As a company with less than $1.235 billion in revenue for the last fiscal year, we qualify as an “emerging growth company” pursuant to the JOBS Act. An emerging growth company may take advantage of specified reduced reporting and other requirements that are otherwise applicable generally to public companies. These provisions include exemption from the auditor attestation requirement under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 in the assessment of the emerging growth company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Taxation

 

Cayman Islands

 

Under the current laws of the Cayman Islands, we are not subject to tax on income or capital gain. Additionally, upon payments of dividends to our shareholders, no Cayman Islands withholding tax will be imposed.

 

British Virgin Islands

 

Dongrun Technology Holdings Limited is incorporated in the British Virgin Islands. Under the current laws of the British Virgin Islands, Dongrun Technology Holdings Limited is not subject to tax on income or capital gains. Additionally, upon payments of dividends by the Company to its shareholders, no withholding tax from British Virgin Islands will be imposed.

 

Hong Kong

 

Entities incorporated in Hong Kong are subject to profits tax in Hong Kong at the rate of 16.5%. According to Tax (Amendment) (No. 3) Ordinance 2018 published by Hong Kong government, effective April 1, 2018, under the two-tiered profits tax rates regime, the profits tax rate for the first HKD2 million of assessable profits will be lowered to 8.25% (half of the rate specified in Schedule 8 to the Inland Revenue Ordinance (IRO)) for corporations. We are not subject to Hong Kong profit tax for any period presented as it did not have assessable profit during the periods presented.

 

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PRC

 

Under the Enterprise Income Tax Laws of the PRC, or the EIT Laws, domestic enterprises and Foreign Investment Enterprises, or the FIEs, are usually subject to a unified 25% enterprise income tax rate, while preferential tax rates, tax holidays and tax exemption may be granted on case-by-case basis. High and new technology enterprises enjoy a preferential tax rate of 15% under the EIT Law. Our subsidiaries Lianzhang Portal and its branch company obtained its HNTE status in 2020, and will enjoy the preferential tax rate of 15% for the period of 3 years.

 

According to the Notice on Implementing the Inclusive Tax Reduction and Exemption Policy for Small and Micro Enterprises (Caishui [2019] No. 13) issued by the Ministry of Finance and the State Taxation Administration on January 17, 2019, small and low-profit enterprises should meet the three conditions: (1) The annual taxable income does not exceed RMB3.0 million; (2) The number of employees does not exceed 300; (3) The total assets does not exceed RMB50.0 million. For small and low-profit enterprises with an annual taxable income of no more than RMB1.0 million, a reduced rate of 25% will be included in the taxable income, and the enterprise income tax will be paid at a 20% tax rate; For the portion of annual taxable income exceeding RMB1.0 million but not exceeding RMB3.0 million, a reduced rate of 50% shall be included in the taxable income and their enterprise income tax shall be paid at a 20% tax rate. The execution period of this notice is from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2021.

 

According to the Announcement on Further Implementing the Income Tax Preferential Policies for Small and Micro Enterprises (Caishui [2022] No. 13) issued by the Ministry of Finance and the State Taxation Administration on March 14, 2022, for small and low-profit enterprises with an annual taxable income exceeding RMB1.0 million but not exceeding RMB3.0 million, a reduced rate of 25% will be included in the taxable income and the enterprise income tax will be paid at a 20% tax rate. The execution period of this announcement is from January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2024.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

We prepare our consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, which requires us to make judgments, estimates and assumptions. To the extent that there are material differences between these estimates and actual results, our financial condition or results of operations would be affected. We base our estimates and assumptions on our own historical data and other assumptions that we believe are reasonable after taking account of our circumstances and expectations for the future based on available information. We evaluate these estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis.

 

Our expectations regarding the future are based on available information and assumptions that we believe to be reasonable and accurate, which together form our basis for making judgments about matters that are not readily apparent from other sources. Since the use of estimates is an integral component of the financial reporting process, our actual results could differ from those estimates. Some of our accounting policies require a higher degree of judgment than others in their application.

 

The critical accounting policies, judgments and estimates that we believe to have the most significant impact on our consolidated financial statements are described below, which should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes and other disclosures included in this prospectus. When reviewing our financial statements, you should consider:

 

our selection of critical accounting policies;

 

the judgments and other uncertainties affecting the application of such policies; and

 

the sensitivity of reported results to changes in conditions and assumptions.

 

Our critical accounting policies and practices include the following: (i) accounts receivable, net; (ii) revenue recognition; and (iii) income taxes. See Note 3—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to our consolidated financial statements for the disclosure of these accounting policies. We believe the following accounting estimates involve the most significant judgments used in the preparation of our financial statements.

 

We consider an accounting estimate to be critical if: (i) the accounting estimate requires us to make assumptions about matters that were highly uncertain at the time the accounting estimate was made, and (ii) changes in the estimate that are reasonably likely to occur from period to period or use of different estimates that we reasonably could have used in the current period, would have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations. We consider our critical accounting estimates include (i) allowance for doubtful accounts for accounts receivable and (ii) valuation allowance of deferred tax assets.

 

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Allowance for doubtful accounts for accounts receivable

 

Accounts receivable is stated at the original amount less an allowance for doubtful receivable. Accounts receivable is recognized in the period when we have provided services to our customers and when our right to consideration is unconditional. In January 1, 2023, we adopted ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement on Credit Losses on Financial Instruments”, including certain subsequent amendments, transitional guidance and other interpretive guidance within ASU 2018-19.ASU 2019-04, ASU 2019-05, ASU 2019-11, ASU 2020-02 and ASU 2020-03 (collectively, including ASU 2016-13,“ASC 326”). ASC 326 introduces an approach based on expected losses to estimate the allowance for doubtful accounts, which replaces the previous incurred loss impairment model. Our estimation of allowance for doubtful accounts considers factors such as historical credit loss experience, age of receivable balances, current market conditions, reasonable and supportable forecasts of future economic conditions, as well as an assessment of receivables due from specific identifiable counterparties to determine whether these receivables are considered at risk or uncollectible. We review the accounts receivable on a periodic basis and makes general and specific allowances when there is doubt as to the collectability of individual balances. We consider factors in assessing the collectability of its receivables, such as the age of the amounts due, the customer’s payment history, credit-worthiness and other specific circumstances related to the accounts. An allowance for doubtful accounts is recorded in the period in which a loss is determined to be probable. Accounts receivable balances are written off after all collection efforts have been exhausted.

 

The allowance for doubtful accounts as of December 31, 2022 and June 30, 2023 was RMB268 and RMB268 (US$37.0), respectively.

 

Valuation of deferred tax assets

 

Deferred income taxes are provided using assets and liabilities method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined on the basis of the differences between financial statements and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. Deferred tax assets are recognized to the extent that these assets are more likely than not to be realized. In making such a determination, the management consider all positive and negative evidence, including future reversals of projected future taxable income and results of recent operation. Deferred tax assets are then reduced by a valuation allowance through a charge to income tax expense when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that a portion of or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Recovery of substantially all of the Company’s deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future income, exclusive of reversing taxable temporary differences.

 

Based upon the level of historical taxable income and projections for future taxable income over the periods in which the deferred tax assets are recoverable, management estimated that it is more likely than not that the results of future operations will not generate sufficient taxable income to realize the deferred tax assets as December 31, 2022 and June 30, 2023. Thus, management decided to record all of the valuation allowance. Valuation allowance amounted to RMB33.5 million and RMB33.3 million ($4.6 million) as of December 31, 2022 and June 30, 2023, respectively. While we consider the facts above, our projections of future income qualified tax-planning strategies may be changed due to the macroeconomic conditions and our business development. The DTAs could be utilized in the future years if we make profits in the future, the valuation allowance shall be reversed.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

Credit Risk

 

Financial instruments that potentially expose us to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and accounts receivable. We place substantially all of our cash with financial institutions with high credit ratings and quality in China. In the event of bankruptcy of one of these financial institutions, we may not be able to claim its cash and demand deposits back in full. We continue to monitor the financial strength of the financial institutions. There has been no recent history of default in relation to these financial institutions.

 

For accounts receivables, credit risk is controlled by the application of credit approvals, limits and monitoring procedures. We manage credit risk through in-house research and analysis of the Chinese economy and the underlying obligors and transaction structures. In measuring the credit risk of our sales to our customers, we mainly reflect the “probability of default” by the customer on its contractual obligations and considers the current financial position of the customer and the exposures to the customer and its likely future development.

 

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Foreign Exchange Risk

 

All of our revenue and substantially all of our expenses are denominated in RMB. Our exposure to foreign exchange risk primarily relates to cash denominated in U.S. dollars. We do not believe that we currently have any significant direct foreign exchange risk and have not used derivative financial instruments to hedge exposure to such risk. Although our exposure to foreign exchange risks should be limited in general, the value of your investment in the Class B Ordinary Shares will be affected by the exchange rate between U.S. dollar and RMB because the value of our business is effectively denominated in RMB, while our shares will be traded in U.S. dollars.

  

Renminbi is not freely convertible into foreign currencies. Remittances of foreign currencies into the PRC or remittances of Renminbi out of the PRC as well as exchange between Renminbi and foreign currencies require approval by foreign exchange administrative authorities with certain supporting documentation. SAFE, under the authority of the People’s Bank of China, controls the conversion of Renminbi into other currencies.

 

To the extent that we need to convert U.S. dollars into RMB for our operations, appreciation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar would have an adverse effect on the RMB amount we receive from the conversion. Conversely, if we decide to convert RMB into U.S. dollars for the purpose of making payments for dividends on the Class B Ordinary Shares or for other business purposes, appreciation of the U.S. dollar against the RMB would have a negative effect on the U.S. dollar amounts available to us.

 

As of June 30, 2023, we had RMB-denominated cash of RMB18.4 million ($2.5 million). A 10% depreciation of RMB against the U.S. dollar based on the foreign exchange rate on June 30, 2023 would result in a decrease of $0.2 million in cash and cash equivalents. A 10% appreciation of RMB against the U.S. dollar based on the foreign exchange rate on June 30, 2023 would result in an increase of $0.3 million in cash and cash equivalents.

 

Interest Rate Risk

 

Our exposure to interest rate risk primarily relates to the interest expenses incurred on bank borrowings and income generated by excess cash, which is mostly held in interest-bearing bank deposits. Interest-earning instruments carry a degree of interest rate risk. We have not been exposed to material risks due to changes in interest rates, and we have not used any derivative financial instruments to manage our interest risk exposure. However, our future interest income may fall short of expectations due to changes in market interest rates.

 

After completion of this offering, we may invest the net proceeds we receive from the offering in interest-earning instruments. Investments in both fixed rate and floating rate interest earning instruments carry a degree of interest rate risk. Fixed rate securities may have their fair market value adversely impacted due to a rise in interest rates, while floating rate securities may produce less income than expected if interest rates fall.

 

Inflation

 

Since our inception, inflation in China has not materially impacted our results of operations. According to the National Bureau of Statistics of China, the year-over-year percent changes in the consumer price index June 2022 and June 2023 were increase of 2.5% and 0.7%; for December 2021 and December 2022 were increase of 0.9% and 2.0%, respectively. Although we have not in the past been materially affected by inflation since our inception, we can provide no assurance that we will not be affected in the future by higher rates of inflation in China.

 

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CORPORATE HISTORY AND STRUCTURE

 

LZ Technology is a Cayman Islands holding company that conducts its operations in China through Lianzhang Portal and its subsidiaries. Lianzhang Portal was established under the PRC laws on September 10, 2014.

 

Restructuring

 

Upon LZ Technology’s incorporation on November 23, 2022, it had an authorized share capital of $50,000 divided into 50,000 shares of a par value of $1.00 each. On November 23, 2022, one ordinary share, par value of $1.00, was allotted and issued to the initial subscriber, Sertus Nominees (Cayman) Limited, who transferred the share to LZ Holdings, on the same day. In addition, an additional 49,999 ordinary shares, par value of $1.00 each, were allotted and issued to LZ Holdings for a total consideration of $49,999. As a result, LZ Technology had 50,000 ordinary shares, par value of $1.00 each, issued and outstanding on November 23, 2022.

 

On June 23, 2023, LZ Technology repurchased 49,999 ordinary shares, $1.00 par value, from LZ Holdings for $49,999. LZ Technology paid the purchase price out of its capital and the repurchased shares were immediately cancelled. As a result of the repurchase, LZ Technology had one ordinary share, $1.00 par value issued and outstanding, which was owned by LZ Holdings.

 

Immediately following the above repurchase of shares, each issued and unissued share of LZ Technology, par value of $1.00 was subdivided into 10,000 shares, par value of $0.0001 each. As a result of the subdivision, the authorized share capital of LZ Technology changed from $50,000 divided into 50,000 shares with a par value of $1.00 each to $50,000 divided into 500,000,000 shares with a par value of $0.0001 each. In addition, immediately after the subdivision, the authorized share capital of LZ Technology was re-classified and re-designated into $50,000 divided into 20,000,000 Class A Ordinary Shares, par value of $0.0001 each and 480,000,000 Class B Ordinary Shares, par value of $0.0001 each. The then issued, post-subdivision 10,000 ordinary shares owned by LZ Holdings, were re-classified and re-designated as 10,000 Class A Ordinary Shares.

 

Following the re-classification and re-designation referred to above, LZ Technology allotted and issued the following shares:

 

9,579,248 Class A Ordinary Shares to LZ Holdings for $957,9248;

 

11,807,883 Class B Ordinary Shares to LZ Holdings for $1180.7883;

 

6,239,909 Class B Ordinary Shares to BJ Tojoy Shared Enterprise Consulting Ltd for $623.9909;

 

15,000,000 Class B Ordinary Shares to Vanshion Investment Group Limited (万盛投资集团有限公司)for $1,500;

 

16,942,491 Class B Ordinary Shares to Youder Investment Group Limited (友达投资集团有限公司)for $1,694.2491;

 

1,259,273 Class B Ordinary Shares to Sing Family Investment Limited for $125.9273; and

 

3,032,846 Class B Ordinary Shares to Kim Full Investment Company Limited for $303.2846.

 

Upon completion of the above reorganization, the authorized share capital of LZ Technology became $50,000 divided into 500,000,000 shares of a nominal or par value of $0.0001 each, comprising of 20,000,000 Class A Ordinary Shares of a par value of $0.0001 each and 480,000,000 Class B Ordinary Shares of a par value of $0.0001 each. As of the date of the prospectus, there are 9,589,248 Class A Ordinary Shares and 54,282,402 Class B Ordinary Shares issued and outstanding.

 

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The following diagram illustrates our corporate structure as of the date of this prospectus:

 

 

Blue Box – The entity in which investors are purchasing the Class B Ordinary Shares being offered.

 

Orange Boxes – The entities in which the Company’s operations are conducted.

 

Our Subsidiaries

 

As of the date of this prospectus, LZ Technology has the following subsidiaries:

 

  Dongrun Technology Holdings Limited, a wholly owned direct subsidiary, formed on December 5, 2022 under the laws of British Virgin Islands, whose principal activity is investment holding;

 

  LZ Digital Technology Group Limited, a wholly owned indirect subsidiary, formed on November 21, 2022 under the laws of Hong Kong, whose principal activity is investment holding;

 

  Lianzhang Menhu (Zhejiang) Holding Co., Ltd. (联掌门户(浙江)控股有限公司), or LZ Menhu, the WFOE, a wholly owned indirect subsidiary, formed on May 10, 2023 under PRC laws, whose principal activity is investment holding;

 

  Lianzhang Portal Network Technology Co., Ltd (联掌门户网络科技有限公司), or Lianzhang Portal, a 93.70% owned indirect subsidiary, formed on September 10, 2014 under PRC laws, engaged in providing intelligent access control and safety management systems and advertising and promotional services. As of the date of this prospectus, Wuxi Jiangxi Technology Venture Capital Co., Ltd. and Wuxi Xinqu Fin-tech Venture Capital Co., Ltd. (collectively, the “Lianzhang Portal’s minority shareholders”) each owns approximately 3.15% of Lianzhang Portal. Lianzhang Portal’s minority shareholders have filed a lawsuit with the Wuxi Intermediate People’s Court on January 30, 2023, demanding Mr. Andong Zhang, our Chairman, to repurchase all the shares of Lianzhang Portal held by them. For more details, please see “Corporate History and Structure—Lianzhang Portal’s Minority Shareholders.”

 

  LianZhang Media Co., Ltd. (联掌传媒有限责任公司), a wholly owned subsidiary of Lianzhang Portal, formed on January 16, 2018 under PRC laws, engaged in providing advertising, information system integration service, and information technology consulting service;  

 

  Xiamen LianZhang Culture Media Co., Ltd. (厦门联掌文化传媒有限责任公司), a wholly owned subsidiary of Lianzhang Portal, formed on October 15, 2014 under PRC laws, engaged in advertising, information system integration service, and information technology consulting service; 

 

  LianZhang New Community Construction Development (Jiangsu) Co., Ltd. (联掌新型社区建设发展(江苏)有限责任公司), an 80% owned subsidiary of Lianzhang Portal, formed on June 21, 2018 under PRC laws, engaged in sales of access control devices and renovation of old residential areas; 

 

  Xiamen Lianzhanghui Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd. (厦门联掌慧智能技术有限责任公司), a wholly owned subsidiary of Lianzhang Portal, formed on October 31, 2014 under PRC laws, engaged in sales of access control devices and renovation of old residential areas;

 

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  Xiamen Infinity Network Technology Co., Ltd. (厦门无限主义网络科技有限公司), or Xiamen Infinity, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lianzhang Portal, formed on August 16, 2021 under PRC laws, engaged in social media advertising of experience and grocery products;

 

  Xiamen Limited E-commerce Co., Ltd. (厦门有限主义电子商务有限公司), a wholly owned subsidiary of Lianzhang Portal, formed on April 7, 2022 under PRC laws, whose principal activity is investment holding;

 

  Lianzhang Digital Technology (Xiamen) Co., Ltd. (联掌数字科技(厦门)有限公司), or Lianzhang Digital Technology, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lianzhang Portal, formed on May 6, 2023 under PRC laws, engaged in system operation and management;

 

  Lianzhang Life Services (Xiamen) Co., Ltd. (联掌生活服务(厦门)有限公司), a wholly owned subsidiary of Lianzhang Digital Technology, formed on May 9, 2023 under PRC laws, engaged in online sales of local experience and grocery products;

 

  Lianzhang Digital Marketing Planning (Xiamen) Co., Ltd. (联掌数字营销策划(厦门)有限公司), a wholly owned subsidiary of Lianzhang Digital Technology, formed on May 9, 2023 under PRC laws, engaged in advertising and promotional services;

 

  Live Well (Xiamen) Network Technology Co., Ltd. (住得好(厦门)网络科技有限公司), a 70% owned subsidiary of Lianzhang Life Services (Xiamen) Co., Ltd., formed on May 12, 2023 under PRC laws, engaged in online sales of local experience and grocery products;

 

  Taizhou Quanxiang Network Technology Co., Ltd. (台州圈享网络科技有限公司), a 51% owned subsidiary of Xiamen Infinity, formed on February 23, 2023 under PRC laws, engaged in online sales of local experience and grocery products;

 

  Shanghai Lianxian Digital Technology Co., Ltd. (上海联限数字科技有限公司), a 65% owned subsidiary of Xiamen Limited E-commerce Co., Ltd., formed on April 11, 2023 under PRC laws, engaged in engaged in online sales of local experience and grocery products.

 

Lianzhang Portal’s Minority Shareholders

 

As of the date of this prospectus, Wuxi Jiangxi Technology Venture Capital Co., Ltd. and Wuxi Xinqu Fin-tech Venture Capital Co., Ltd. (which are collectively referred to as “Lianzhang Portal’s minority shareholders”) each owns approximately 3.15% of Lianzhang Portal. In September 2017, each of Lianzhang Portal’s minority shareholders invested RMB15 million in Lianzhang Portal, of which RMB1,423,700 was used to increase registered capital of Lianzhang Portal, or each RMB1 registered capital valued at RMB10.54, and the remaining RMB13,576,300 was recorded as capital reserves.

 

In September 2017, Lianzhang Portal’s minority shareholders also signed a Supplemental Agreement on Capital Increase with Mr. Andong Zhang. This agreement provided that if Lianzhang Portal failed to submit IPO application materials or sign a merger agreement with other investors by December 31, 2020, or if Lianzhang Portal intended to raise capital from new investors after this investment but at a price lower than the price of Lianzhang Portal immediately following this investment unless consented to by Lianzhang Portal’s minority shareholders, Lianzhang Portal’s minority shareholders shall have the right to demand Mr. Andong Zhang to repurchase all or part of the shares they hold.

 

On September 26, 2019, Mr. Andong Zhang and Lianzhang Portal’s minority shareholders signed a Performance Compensation Agreement, stipulating that if Lianzhang Portal failed to submit IPO application materials or sign a merger agreement with other investors by December 31, 2022, Lianzhang Portal’s minority shareholders shall have the right to demand Mr. Andong Zhang or his designated party to repurchase all the shares of Lianzhang Portal held by them using an agreed price calculation method.

 

On August 29, 2022, Mr. Andong Zhang provided a Commitment Letter to Lianzhang Portal’s minority shareholders, pledging to repurchase all of their shares in Lianzhang Portal before December 31, 2022.

 

On January 30, 2023, Lianzhang Portal’s minority shareholders filed a lawsuit with the Wuxi Intermediate People’s Court, demanding Mr. Andong Zhang to repurchase all the shares of Lianzhang Portal held by them. On March 23, 2023, upon the request of one of Lianzhang Portal’s minority shareholders, Wuxi Xinqu Fin-tech Venture Capital Co., Ltd. (“Wuxi Fin-tech”), the court issued a ruling, ordering to freeze all of the equity interests held by Mr. Andong Zhang in Xiamen Dongling Technology Co., Ltd. (“Dongling Technology”). On July 25, 2023, the court entered a judgement, ordering Mr. Andong Zhang to, within 10 days of the effective date of the judgement, repay RMB15 million and interest thereon at a rate of 10% per annum for the period of December 1, 2017 through the date the repayment is completed, to each of Lianzhang Portal’s minority shareholders. On August 17, 2023, Wuxi Fin-tech Mr. Andong Zhang and Ms. Hongling Zhang, entered into a Settlement Agreement that sets forth a repayment schedule as follows: (i) RMB7 million is to be repaid within 3 days after the Settlement Agreement; (ii) RMB8 million is to be repaid within 30 days after the Settlement Agreement; and (iii) the interest is to be repaid within 12 months after the Settlement Agreement, with payments of at least RMB100,000 each month for the first 10 months. On August 17, 2023, Dongling Technology remitted RMB7 million to Wuxi Fin-tech, and Wuxi Fin-tech filed a request with the court, asking the court to lift the freeze on Mr. Andong Zhang’s equity interests in Dongling Technology. Vanshion Investment Group Limited, one of LZ Technology’s principal shareholders, is 66.7% owned by Xiamen Dongling Weiye Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership) (“Dongling Partnership”). Dongling Partnership is managed by its executive partner, Dongling Technology which holds approximately 26.55% of Dongling Partnership. Additionally, Vanshion Investment Group Limited is 33.3% owned by Wuxi Zhanghui Anying Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership), which, in turn, is 59.75% owned by Dongling Technology. Mr. Andong Zhang and his spouse, Ms. Hongling Zhang, together hold 100% equity interests of Dongling Technology. See also “Principal Shareholders.” Mr. Andong Zhang plans to enter into a repayment plan with the other Lianzhang Portal’s minority shareholder, Wuxi Jiangxi Technology Venture Capital Co., Ltd.

 

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INDUSTRY

 

The information presented in this section has been derived from an industry report commissioned by us and issued in August 2023 by Frost & Sullivan, an independent research firm, or the F&S report, to provide information regarding our industry and our market position in China.

 

SMART COMMUNITY INDUSTRY IN CHINA

 

Overview of the Smart City Industry

 

Smart cities make use of emerging information technology such as the Internet of Things, cloud computing, big data, and artificial intelligence to integrate data resources such as people, events, places, things, situations, and organizations in urban living scenarios, providing integrated management and service applications for governments, enterprises, universities, research institute, and residents, enhancing the scientific and intelligent level of management and services for governments and enterprises, and providing a safe, comfortable and convenient intelligent living environment for urban residents.

 

Market Opportunity for Smart City Industry

 

The urbanization process in China is continuing and the urbanization rate of the resident population increased from 60% in 2020 to over 65% in 2022. With the support of relevant national policies, the construction of smart cities will be further expanded to districts and counties, and the market potential of smart cities is yet to be explored in depth. In recent years, smart city technology spending in China has continued to increase. With the further enhancement of China’s infrastructure and technology, the degree of digitization, networking, and intelligence of infrastructure continues to increase, thus driving data governance, developing the digital economy, and realizing the interconnection and mutual integration of smart cities. Technologies such as 5G, edge computing, artificial intelligence, IoT, and digital twin are being applied to urban governance, livelihood services, economic development, and other areas, covering all aspects of smart cities. The integration of new technologies has created new applications, such as the integration of spatial geographic information and data twin technology to provide a basis for urban decision-making and planning, and in the future, more innovative application scenarios will emerge in the course of smart city construction.

 

Smart community construction includes three major components: hardware, software, and platform services. 1) Hardware mainly includes intelligent building access control, monitoring equipment, vehicle identification gates, electronic advertising screens, fire detection devices, smart home equipment, etc. related to services within the community. 2) Software mainly includes intelligent security systems, intelligent property management systems, intelligent parking management systems, and other systems and software related to community services. 3) Platform services include not only property management services and IoT platforms related to services within the community but also consumer service platforms, medical service platforms, etc. related to services around the community.

 

Smart cities have grown since 2015 and have permeated many areas including government projects, city security, urban traffic, medical and health, education, community governance, business, telecom, etc. Relying on information technology, smart cities stimulate more creativity for city building, by deepening data sharing, breaking down data silos, penetrating into many aspects of business, logistics, and public services, strengthening synergy and cooperation between different industries, and promoting the healthy development of industrial ecology.

 

Overview of Community Building Access Control Industry

 

Community building access control is a type of security device that manages and controls who or what is allowed entrance to a building. Community building access control is installed at the entrance of a community building. The access control system authorizes entry and exit in the form of passwords, fingerprints, and access cards. Residents of the building who have been authorized can enter and leave the building freely, while unauthorized visitors need to be identified through the building access control before entering the building, and can only enter with the permission of the resident being visited and after the door has been opened for them. Community property staff have a separately identifiable building access control permit to facilitate service to community residents. Community building access control is equipped with permissions management, real-time monitoring, abnormal alarm, fire alarm, and other functions to ensure the safety of community residents. Community building access control is generally composed of a server, a client, and a visual intercom access control. The server provides property background management and data storage, query, and pushing information to the client, while the client integrates access control, consumer services, security, and other functions, bringing a smart and convenient experience to community residents. Access methods of community building access include passwords, access cards, QR code, biometrics (fingerprint, facial recognition, IRIS), etc.

 

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With the steady development of the economy, community residents are increasingly concerned about the security of the public areas in which they live. As a new type of intelligent security control system, intelligent community building access control not only gives each door an intelligent, secure, and convenient function but also promotes the continuous updating and iteration of access control technology. With the acceleration of intelligent construction and the advancement of high-tech electronic and digital network information technology, the whole industry is developing rapidly.

 

Market Size of Community Building Access Control Industry

 

Security is an important part of the public safety system of society. As people’s living standards and social and economic levels continue to rise, the demand for security is getting higher and higher. The market size of China’s security industry is rising, with the market size of China’s security industry exceeding RMB 900 billion in 2021, and will continue to grow in the future.

 

The promotion and rapid development of smart communities and safe cities have driven the continued growth of the building access control market. The community is the main place for residents to live, and residents have increasingly high requirements for community security, which has led to the rapid development of community building access control. Revenues from community building access control vendors include hardware product sales, advertising revenue, maintenance revenue, etc. According to Frost & Sullivan report, the market size of community building access control in China reached RMB 32.6 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 12.5% from 2022 to 2027, reaching RMB 58.9 billion in 2027.

 

The pandemic accelerated the construction of smart cities and smart communities, and the demand for community building access control during the pandemic stimulated demand for community building access control and further growth in the community building access control market. 2021 to the first half of 2022 was affected by the shortage of chips, and some companies experienced a decline in revenue, thus slowing down the growth rate of the market size. With the lifting of the pandemic and the chip supply resuming, the market size growth rate picked up in 2023.

 

 

 

 

Source: Frost & Sullivan Report

 

Drivers for the Community Building Access Control Industry

 

According to Frost & Sullivan report, key drivers driving the growth of community building access control market in China are:

 

Growth in demand for security. With the development of the social economy and the improvement of the living standard of the residents, people’s demand for safety and convenience in life is getting higher and higher. Residents are increasingly seeking security and stability in their living environment and do not wish to have external strangers frequently entering and leaving their residential buildings. The intelligent community building access control industry is therefore developing rapidly. Intelligent community building access control systems apply face recognition, voice recognition, and other information technologies to effectively control the entry and exit of people in residential buildings, therefore improving residential security.

 

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Development of the smart community offers opportunities for the community building access control industry. With the promotion of smart city construction, smart communities are developing rapidly. Relevant enterprises seize the market opportunity and commit to the construction of smart communities. Community building access control, which is closely related to community security, has become a market hotspot, and community building access control manufacturers have increased their efforts to develop related systems and products. Hardware equipment manufacturers, platform system manufacturers, and other types of enterprises turn into the community building access control industry leading to the rapid rise of the industry. On the basis of meeting the basic functions of access control and visualization, community building access control manufacturers focus on residents’ community life, target community service scenarios and user needs, build consumer service platforms, provide commerce information around the community and online interaction for residents, continue to promote the optimization and upgrading of products and promote the rapid development of the community building access control industry.

 

Positive policies promote the development of the security industry. The security industry is important for maintaining national security and social stability. In recent years, national security spending has been rising and the security industry has continued to grow as a result. The government has introduced a series of policies to increase the scale of government spending on national public security and to promote the development of the security industry. As the basic part of social security, the first protection of people’s lives, community building access control industry is rapidly developing. The China Security Industry “14th Five-Year” Development Plan (2021-2025) proposed to move towards to intelligent era, further promoting the trend of intelligence and informatization in the community building access control industry.

 

Information technology development for industry upgrade. Community building access control is a technology-intensive industry, with artificial intelligence, big data, biometrics, and other new generation information technology maturity, “artificial intelligence + community building access control” prompted the industry to upgrade again. The development of a new generation of information technology for community building access control derived from a variety of new functions, and technological developments to solve the problem of long-distance audio and video transmission and networking multiple channels, effectively improving the efficiency of community building entrances and exits. Community building access control manufacturers further develop and overlay a number of community service platforms around community life scenarios, effectively connecting smart hardware with software services to provide comprehensive coverage of the community, providing accurate community advertising, community e-commerce, and various life services to the acquired users, bringing more convenience to residents.

 

ADVERTISING INDUSTRY IN CHINA

 

Overview of the Advertising Industry

 

Advertising is the means of communication in which a product, brand, or service is promoted to a viewership in order to attract interest, engagement, and sales. Advertisements are messages paid for by those who send them and are intended to inform or influence people who receive them.

 

According to the different channels and forms, the advertising industry can be classified as:

 

TV & Radio advertising is known as mass marketing since national or even worldwide audiences can be reached. Advertisers pay broadcasters for a spot. An advertising spot is typically 30 seconds on both television and radio. Broadcast advertisements have the best chance to reach a large audience, however, the costs are so high that not all advertisers can accept them.

 

Print advertising is a form of marketing that uses physically printed media to reach customers on a broad scale. Ads are printed in hard copy across different types of publications such as newspapers, magazines, brochures, or direct mail. Affected by the recession of traditional paper media, the importance of print advertising has declined.

 

Out-of-home advertising, also known as outdoor advertising, refers to advertising that reaches consumers outside their homes. This includes billboards, street furniture, transit, and place-based OOH.

 

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Online advertising refers to marketing through online channels, such as websites, streaming content, and more. It’s a marketing strategy that uses the internet to generate website traffic and deliver specific marketing messages to the right customers. This includes display advertising, search engine marketing, social media advertising, content marketing and video advertising.

 

Others include types of advertising not mentioned in the above categories, such as audio advertising and so on.

 

Advertising Working Process

 

The advertising business model is a revenue generation strategy supported by the sale of advertising. The advertising modes include programmatic advertising and native advertising. Programmatic advertising is the process of automatically buying and selling digital advertising space. Native advertising is a form of paid advertising in which the ads match the look, feel, and function of the media format where they appear. They fit “natively” and seamlessly on the web page.

 

Before programmatic advertising, ordering, setting up, and reporting on ads all had to be carried out manually. The process is streamlined through programmatic advertising, making it more effective and efficient. Any formats and channels can be accessed programmatically, thanks to programmatic platforms that have built up their ad inventory and database.

 

The chart below demonstrates how programmatic advertising works:

 

 

Source: Frost & Sullivan

 

Programmatic ads help connect publishers - those who have websites with ad space (ad inventory) to sell - and advertisers - those who want to buy that ad space to promote their brand.

 

When an advertiser wants to launch a digital campaign to promote their product or service, they contact their programmatic ad agency or trading desk. The agency uses a demand-side platform (DSP) to automate the process of buying ad impressions to meet the goal of the campaign.

 

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A DSP allows advertisers and their agencies to purchase ad inventory from multiple publishers. The DSP ensures the ads are aimed at the right audience through the use of a data management platform (DMP), which manages audience data. This data is used to target the right audience, taking a variety of factors into account, such as location, demographics, user behavior, and online activity.

 

When a person who falls within the target audience of the advertiser lands on a publisher’s website, the website will send an ad request to the supply-side platform (SSP). An SSP is used by a publisher to sell ads, with the aim of maximizing the value the publisher receives from an impression. The SSP runs an auction among its buyers, and the DSP is connected in.

 

The DSP uses the data that it receives to evaluate the ad and match it with its data and target parameters. This is used to decide a bidding price for the first impression. Held within the SSP or ad exchange in real-time, the process is often referred to as real-time bidding.

 

Although this sounds like a long process, it takes just 100 milliseconds to complete the bidding. After the impression has been sold, it is sent to the publisher’s website to be displayed. The process repeats whenever a user lands on the website or refreshes.

 

Market Size of Advertising Industry in China

 

In the last decades, China’s advertising market grew rapidly with a CAGR of 18.6%, increasing from approximately RMB 601 billion in 2017 to approximately RMB 1,412 billion in 2022 attributable to the substantial increase of new types of advertisements. By 2027, the advertising market in China is expected to reach approximately RMB 2,524 billion at a CAGR of 12.3% from 2022 to 2027.

 

 

 

Source: Frost & Sullivan

 

Advertising Revenue Distribution in China

 

In the past two years, with consumers’ psychological needs gradually tending to the spiritual level, the rapid iteration of technology, and the gradual rise in the complexity of the market environment, China’s advertising industry has gradually launched a new mode of delivery, and the focus of advertisers on the market has also changed. At the same time, the changing environment of the whole market has put some pressure on business owners, who are less confident and more cautious in investing their marketing budgets.

 

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In 2022, the advertising market keeps growing in demand-based marketing, mainly in the three areas of necessities, leisure, and entertainment. Several basic consumer goods categories in China’s advertising market are maintaining rapid growth and reflecting the concept of healthy and convenient life. Specifically, FMCG firmly occupies the NO.1 in advertising spending with a 29.7% market share. FMCG, pharma and healthcare, and telecommunication advertisements occupy 45.5% of the market share and are key customers in China’s advertising market.

 

 

 

*Notes: Others include business services, energy and fuel, travel and leisure, financial services, entertainment and media, home appliances and furniture, real estate, and constructions, automotive, clothes and accessories, education and training

 

 

Source: Frost & Sullivan

 

Overview of the Out-of-Home Advertising Industry

 

Out-of-home advertising, also known as outdoor advertising, refers to advertising that reaches consumers outside their homes. This includes billboards, indoor and outdoor signs, ads on street infrastructure like bus shelters or benches, in transit areas like airports or train stations, and place-based ad media. These various OOH media formats account for thousands of locations and millions of screens around China.

 

 

 

 

Source: Frost & Sullivan

 

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OOH advertising has the following distinct advantages:

 

Increased visibility. With OOH advertising, brands have the ability to target large, diverse audiences in highly visible locations. This allows them to reach consumers who may not have otherwise seen their message.

 

Geographic targeting. OOH advertising can be highly targeted based on geographic location. This is particularly useful for local businesses that want to attract customers in a specific area.

 

Creative opportunities. Out-of-home advertising offers creative opportunities that are not possible with other forms of advertising. For example, brands can use unique materials and shapes to create eye-catching and memorable displays.

 

Cost-effectiveness. OOH advertising can be a cost-effective way to reach a large audience. Compared to other advertising channels like TV or print, OOH typically has a lower cost per impression.

 

Market Size of the OOH Advertising Industry in China

 

The out-of-home advertising has become the new convergence of target clients. Different from in-home media and personalized media, which is a two-dimensional space so that the ad publishers can only connect brands and consumers through advertising messages, out-of-home advertising provides the opportunity for consumers to experience the brand or product. The marketing scene outside the home, in addition to appearing in the outdoor circle of life high-speed traffic entrance type media, is also appearing in more and more integrated scene immersive marketing. Except for a slight decline in the OOH advertising market size affected by the lock-down measure of COVID-19 and the turbulence of the advertising market, the OOH advertising market in China has grown at a CAGR of 2.4% over the past five years and has reached RMB 58.3 billion in 2022. As the advantages of OOH advertising are realized, the market size is expected to reach RMB 83.6 billion in 2027, with a CAGR of 7.5% from 2022 to 2027.

 

 

 

 

Source: Frost & Sullivan

 

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OOH advertising is an expansive category. Some of China’s most important advertisers, including Apple, Vivo, and 51job.com, all make regular and extensive use of various OOH formats in their campaigns.

 

 

 

Source: Frost & Sullivan

 

CONSUMER SERVICE INDUSTRY IN CHINA

 

Overview of the Consumer Service Industry

 

Consumer services are categories of services that businesses offer to consumers, other enterprises, and households. The primary goal of customer service is to fulfill a customer’s wants and expectations.

 

Consumer services include restaurant delivery and dining, food retail, local transportation, flight ticket purchases, hotel booking, train ticket purchases, vacations, beauty services, karaoke clubs, wedding services, parent & child services, laundry services, housekeeping services, car after-sales services, house renovations, movie ticket purchases, and other live entertainment services.

 

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Market Size of Consumer Service Industry in China

 

The consumer service industry is primarily concentrated in urban areas with high population density. China’s massive population and rapid urbanization have led to the emergence of a large number of cities, further accelerating the growth of the consumer service industry across the country. Besides, the improvement in Chinese consumers’ standards of living has led to significant changes in consumption behavior by moving away from basic needs to more discretionary expenditures, from physical goods oriented to consumer and other services and experience-oriented. This has led to a proliferation and adoption of consumer and other services that are targeted at improving people’s lives. The above macro factors have supported the consumer service industry to grow from approximately RMB 18.4 trillion in 2017 to approximately RMB 23.5 trillion in 2022, implying a CAGR of 5.0%, and the market size will be expected to reach RMB 32.8 trillion in 2027, with a CAGR of 6.9% in the next five years.

 

 

 

 

Source: Frost & Sullivan

 

Overview of the Consumer Service E-Commerce Industry

 

Consumer service e-commerce presents the information of physical stores of restaurants, living services, leisure, entertainment, and so on with the customers in the platform. In the past, consumer choice has been limited by fragmented and stale information, lack of access to services, and the inability to complete transactions efficiently. Consumer service e-commerce platforms now enable consumers with location-based information discovery, decision-making, and real-time processing to complete transactions on mobile devices, transforming consumers’ ways of daily living.

 

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Market Size of Consumer Service E-Commerce Industry in China

 

E-commerce enables merchants to market to the right consumers through online channels with measurable returns on investments, to better serve consumers’ needs by providing high-quality of services and allowing them to make the right business decisions, such as choosing the location of a store. More importantly, e-commerce helps merchants generate incremental sales by providing critical technology infrastructure. For example, operating on-demand food delivery in a cost-effective manner requires a highly complex system that aggregates and processes multiple orders across multiple merchants and takes restaurant traffic, order size, wait time, and road traffic into account. The consumer service e-commerce industry reached RMB 6,026 billion in 2022 and is forecasted to reach RMB 9,510 billion by 2027, implying a CAGR of 9.6%. The penetration rate of e-commerce in consumer service is projected to be 29% in 2027.

 

 

 

 

Source: Frost & Sullivan

 

Food and Dining Service E-Commerce Market

 

Food consumption is the most essential part of consumers’ daily lives today. It is a purchase we make most frequently, whether it is buying groceries, pre-made meals, restaurant dining, take-out, or delivery.

 

Over the next few years, restaurant consumption growth of 8.0% CAGR from 2022 to 2027, is expected to outpace non-restaurant food consumption growth of 6.5% CAGR over the same period.

 

 

 

Source: Frost & Sullivan

 

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As people spend more and more time at work today, many people use consumer services e-commerce platforms and change their way of living. The market size of food consumption through consumer service e-commerce platforms in China reached RMB 3,600 billion in 2022, with a CAGR of 25.3% since 2017, and is expected to reach RMB 5,956 billion in 2027, with a CAGR of 10.6% from 2022 to 2027.

 

 

Source: Frost & Sullivan

 

Chinese consumers are spending more on food delivery, in-store dining, and food retail as standards of living improve. A major trend is that the increase in the ease and convenience of delivery is leading to more consumers choosing to order food online and receive delivery offline. On-demand food delivery and online non-restaurant food retail are in large ways, replacing cooking at home or buying pre-cooked food from grocery stores because these methods are fast, convenient, and in many cases, more cost-effective. This is especially prevalent in younger generations as they have a limited amount of time and energy to dedicate to cooking and they are more willing to pay for convenience. In the next few years, the market share of on-demand food delivery will be expected to expand, and reach 37.9% in 2027.

 

 

 

Source: Frost & Sullivan

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Travel Service E-Commerce Market

 

Travel service includes all travel-related services such as hotel booking, attraction tickets, air ticket booking, bus ticket booking, etc. The travel service industry in China has undergone significant growth driven by trends including rising disposable income and standards of living, growing consumer demand for travel, new emerging transportation methods, and supportive government policies. But, affected by the Covid-19, the market size has shrunk during the epidemic. With the impact of the epidemic gradually dissipating and the optimization of the epidemic prevention policy, travel services will regain growth vitality in the future. The market size is projected to be RMB 3,668 billion in 2027, with a CAGR of 23.6% from 2022 to 2027.

 

 

 

 

Source: Frost & Sullivan

 

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BUSINESS

 

Overview

 

The Company is an information technology and advertising company. Its operations are organized primarily into three business verticals: (i) Smart Community, (ii) Out-of-Home Advertising, and (iii) Local Life.

 

In the Smart Community vertical, the Company provides intelligent community building access and safety management systems through access control monitors and vendor-provided SaaS platforms. The Company’s intelligent community access control system makes resident access to properties simpler. As of the date of this prospectus, approximately 73,717 of the Company’s access control screens have been installed in over 4,000 residential communities, serving over 2.7 million households.

 

The Company’s Out-of-Home Advertising vertical offers clients one-stop multi-channel advertising solutions. Capitalizing on the Company’s network of monitors that span approximately 120 cities in China such as Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Nanjing, Xiamen, Hefei, Dalian, Ningbo, Chengdu, Hangzhou, Wuhan, Chongqing, Changsha, the Company’s Out-of-Home Advertising services help merchants display advertisements in a variety of formats across its intelligent access control and safety management system. Advertisements are placed on the monitors and within the SaaS software. Residents are exposed to these advertisements each time they enter and exit community buildings or open the SaaS software. This level of visibility serves as a highly effective means of advertising, assisting merchants in effectively promoting their brands and accelerating their product sales. Moreover, the Company partners with other outdoor advertising providers to maximize coverage by placing the advertisements on the partners’ numerous displays in public transportation, hotels and other settings as well as deploying posters at events. This broad approach provides clients with a truly comprehensive out-of-home advertising solution.

 

In the Local Life vertical, the Company connects local businesses with consumers via online promotions and transactions. With its strong technological capabilities, the Company helps local restaurants, hotels, tourist companies, retail stores, cinemas and other merchants offer deals and coupons to consumers on social media platforms such as WeChat, Douyin (the Chinese version of TikTok) and Xiaohongshu. The Local Life vertical bridges the businesses’ need for product sales and promotions and the consumers’ need for dining, shopping, entertainment, tourist attractions and other local services. In addition, deals from local businesses can also be displayed on the access control screens. In this way, clients of the Company’s Local Life services can also reach the Smart Community residents, leveraging the Company’s access control screens’ extensive coverage and high exposure potential. Since early 2023, we have embarked on executing the strategy of deepening engagement with merchants and manufacturers within our Local Life space through facilitating retail sales of diversified goods and services, including beverages, groceries and travel packages.

 

The Company reports financial results in one segment. Currently, a substantial portion of the Company’s revenues are generated from advertising and promotional activities, namely by the Out-of-Home Advertising and Local Life verticals. Revenues from Smart Community, which mainly consist of product sales of access control devices and service fees, contribute only a small portion to the Company’s total revenues. Thus, the Smart Community revenues are grouped with other miscellaneous revenue sources, such as advertising design and production and social media account operations, under the catch-all category titled “Other Revenues” in the description of the Company’s revenues.

 

Our total revenues increased by RMB82.0 million, or 101.1%, to RMB163.0 million ($22.5 million) for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to RMB81.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. Our total revenues increased by RMB148.1 million, or 351.1%, to RMB190.3 million ($26.2 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2023, compared to RMB42.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022. Our net loss decreased by RMB33.7 million, or 69.5%, to RMB14.8 million ($2.0 million) for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to RMB48.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. We had net income of RMB1.3 million ($0.2 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2023, compared to net loss of RMB9.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022. For additional information regarding our financial performance, see “Summary Consolidated Financial Information” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

 

Our Products and Services

 

Our products and services revolve around advanced smart technology, such as IoT applications and systems, and comprehensive advertising services, designed to provide convenience and enhance business growth.

 

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Smart Community

 

Our intelligent access control and safety management system, primarily comprising access control monitors and external SaaS software, allows easy access to community buildings for residents and homeowners. Users can view live video feeds and unlock building doors and gates using their smartphones, ensuring no deliveries or visitors are missed. The SaaS software provided by our vendor can seamlessly integrate with other property management systems to provide a comprehensive and efficient user experience. With our intelligent access control and safety management system in place, residents can access community properties with ease while maintaining the security and safety of their communities.

 

 

 

Our access control monitors are deployed in approximately 120 cities in China, including nearly all first and second-tier cities, with a total of approximately 73,717 screens as of the date of this prospectus. Such screens cover more than 4,000 residential communities and 2.7 million households in aggregate. Based on an average of 3 people per household (according to the 2018 population data from the National Bureau of Statistics), it is estimated that these screens have already covered more than 8 million people in total.

 

We offer a seamless and hassle-free user experience with our wireless access control system. This modern access management system includes IoT technology, facial recognition technology and leverages the power of cloud and mobile technology. Based on our fully wireless mesh platform for intelligent building devices, our goal is to make buildings smarter and more convenient.

 

We market and distribute our intelligent access control and safety management system via various channels including: (i) direct sale of hardware and/or software, (ii) sale of the entire system as turnkey projects, (iii) partnerships with third-party individuals or small businesses, which we refer to as “city partners,” and (iv) participation in competitive bidding organized by property developers as a subcontractor.

 

When selling hardware directly, we price devices (such as monitors, wall-mounted intercom handsets and access control card dispensers) based on a per unit rate but offer certain discounts to high-volume purchasers. Typically, we provide a two-year warranty on our sold hardware, during which period we offer free repair and maintenance services.

 

When selling the software, or the entire system as a turnkey project, to residential communities, we provide the initial installation, testing, commissioning and personnel training, as well as ongoing maintenance, upgrades and technical support. In these cases, the contracts, which usually have a term of three to five years, are automatically renewed unless terminated by either party, and we typically only charge a small annual service fee. For turnkey projects, we require the purchaser to make a deposit equal to the cost of the hardware, which will be returned after they cease to use our system. Under both of such models, we have the right and discretion to place advertisements on the monitors.

 

Clients who purchase our software also include technology solution providers such as cloud computing service providers and automation technology service providers. Under such arrangements, we, acting like subcontractors, help clients install smart community digital platforms for communities they serve. These platforms feature user interfaces, external partner integration, community administrator tools, backend systems, community access control, information posting, equipment management, local service professionals search, online convenience store management, as well as statistics collection and visualization. The clients pay us a fee, typically in several installments, with the last installment due within a period after the software has been tested and accepted. We generally continue to provide maintenance services for certain periods of time post-acceptance and may enter into additional agreements with the client subsequently that grant us the right to place advertisements on such platforms.

 

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Additionally, we deploy our access control and safety management systems through city partners, particularly when entering a new region. As of the date of this prospectus, we have 14 city partners in total. These city partners are selected based on their familiarity with the local market and their own resources in the local property management landscape. They have the option to purchase monitors from us, thereby becoming owners of such devices. Regardless of device ownership held by us or city partners, we provide all the software infrastructure for the entire intelligent access control and safety management system through our contracted vendor. We typically establish revenue-sharing arrangements with city partners. The revenue distribution ratio between us and the city partner varies, depending on various factors including, among others, which party secures the advertising order, who owns the monitors and what the performance metric is (based on the number of times the advertisement is broadcast or the product sales). Typically, city partners are also responsible for the monitors’ maintenance and repair. The contracts we enter into with city partners typically have a term of five years, and the parties can discuss whether to renew upon expiration.

 

     

 

Out-of-Home Advertising

 

The Company’s Out-of-Home Advertising vertical serves as a comprehensive, one-stop solution for multi-channel advertising, providing a blend of convenience and extensive reach to consumers. The Company’s Out-of-Home Advertising serves both local and national businesses. By leveraging the Company’s vast network of monitors in a broad range of geographic locations in China, we offer an advantage for businesses seeking impactful outdoor advertisement placements.

 

We employ innovative multi-screen interconnectivity technology, allowing advertisements broadcast on monitors to be concurrently displayed on mobile devices. This provides users with the opportunity to interact directly with and gain insights into the products that pique their interest on their personal mobile devices.

 

Furthermore, our comprehensive Out-of-Home Advertising solution packages offer clients the opportunity to simultaneously showcase their advertisements on displays managed or integrated by our partner outdoor advertising providers. Such partners possess or have access to large quantities of displays in a variety of high-traffic locations such as metros, buses, hotels and other public settings. In addition, our advertising packages also incorporate collaboration with other advertising providers to deploy posters at various events as well as the digital replay of such events on online video-sharing platforms. For accounting purposes, these partner providers are referred to as “subcontractors” or “agents” in recording our revenues and cost of revenues. As of the date of this prospectus, we have forged strategic alliances with a top-tier search engine (Baidu), and several outdoor advertising providers and media companies including Xie Lv and East Entertainment. Under these arrangements, we and our strategic partners pool our client bases and collaboratively deliver a comprehensive advertising solution. This joint effort maximizes our reach and offers our clients an effective and far-reaching advertising service. See also “Customers—Strategic Partnerships.

 

Local Life

 

In the Company’s Local Life vertical, we provide a vibrant connection between local businesses and consumers through online promotions and transactions. Relying on our advanced technological capabilities, we enable a diverse range of merchants—restaurants, hotels, tourist companies, retail stores, cinemas, and other businesses—to offer group deals, discounts, and coupons to consumers on social media platforms as well as our Smart Community’s intelligent access control and safety management system.

 

We work with certain WeChat mini programs to post the coupons and group deals on these applications. Users can easily browse through a plethora of options, finding discounted products and services that suit their needs. Through these placed deals, merchants can access a wide audience and potential repeat customers cost-effectively, while consumers can enjoy a convenient shopping experience with attractive deals for dining, transportation, travel, shopping and entertainment.

 

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In addition, the Company’s Local Life services involve placing merchant discount coupons and group deals within various formats such as in short videos, live streaming and mini programs of other social media platforms like Douyin, as well as publishing advertorial on our WeChat public accounts “Eat, Drink, Play and Enjoy Fuzhou” (吃喝玩乐福州) and “Explore the Tastes of Xiamen” (寻味大厦门).

 

In the Local Life vertical, for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, our revenues mainly consisted of commission fees earned based on the value of purchases made through the coupon links placed by us, the number of times consumers click on these links, or other performance metrics.

 

Since early 2023, we have started to execute the strategy of deepening engagement with merchants and manufacturers within our Local Life space through facilitating retail sales of diversified goods and services, including beverages, groceries and travel packages. As the initial step, in the first half of 2023, we began selling homestays to local and national travel agencies and companies, and wines, liquors, fruits, vegetables and other groceries to retailers with diverse sales channels. We procure these services and goods from reliable upstream suppliers and aim to develop long-term supply chain partnerships with them. We have engaged in exhibitions, training and other events and participated in activities organized by trade associations to acquire customers and expand networks for this Local Life – Retail Sales business. Additionally, some of the customers are obtained through referrals and advertising on our access control screens. Our next step is to broaden our Local Life - Retail Sales’ customer base to include direct consumers and residents. We envision that our Local Life vertical will offer tailored products and services to a wide range of age groups, including (i) individuals under 30 with a penchant for local experiences; (ii) those aged 30~60 seeking household products and groceries; (iii) the 60~80 demographic interested in travel packages; and (iv) seniors over 80 looking for home health and elderly care services. We expect to further penetrate this market in 2024 and beyond by fostering a Local Life platform that bridges merchants and manufacturers with consumers efficiently. This platform will not only offer access to high-quality, competitively priced goods and services but will also integrate our robust advertising capabilities to enhance visibility for our partner merchants and manufacturers. We plan to utilize advanced technology to refine our marketing strategies, ensuring a personalized and effective reach to various customer segments.

 

Xiamen Infinity has entered into a Platform Service Agreement with Henduoka, pursuant to which Henduoka utilizes Quanxiang WeChat Mini Program, Douyin and other social media platforms to help list and publish the products and services of merchant customers, collect payments and provide other technical services for Xiamen Infinity. The Platform Service Agreement has a term from December 1, 2022 to November 30, 2025 which will terminate automatically on the expiration date, November 30, 2025, unless the rights and obligations of the parties are not fully performed by such date. The parties may negotiate the renewal of the agreement within one month before the expiration date. For services provided, Xiamen Infinity shall pay Henduoka a platform service fee equal to 1.5% of verified gross merchandise value (GMV) of products sold, settled on a monthly basis. The foregoing summary of the terms of the Platform Service Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the text of the agreement, the English translation of which is filed as Exhibit 10.4 to this registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. See also “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and Industry—We have engaged in transactions with related parties, and terms obtained or consideration that we paid in connection with these transactions may not be comparable to terms available or the amounts that would be paid in arm’s length transactions.”

 

Our Revenue Model

 

Currently, our primary source of revenue derives from advertising and other promotional activities, and as such, our revenue model revolves around the Out-of-Home Advertising and Local Life verticals. Revenues from various other sources, including from the Smart Community vertical, are classified under a third catch-all category titled “Other Revenues”. See also “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Key Components of Our Results of Operations—Revenues.”

 

Among the “Other Revenues,” the following are the main types of offerings and services constituting this third category.

 

Advertising Design and Production. Our team assists clients in designing and producing promotional materials, such as images, posts, headlines, and videos. For advertising production projects, we handle all stages from establishing filming schedules and planning content, to shooting and editing video content.

 

Smart Community. Smart Community serves as a core offering and investment area of the Company but has not been a significant source of revenue. Revenues from Smart Community offerings primarily include (i) product sales of access control devices, (ii) service fees for providing the SaaS software or the entire access control system, and (iii) payments from property management for posting announcements, residents’ submitting repair requests, suggestions and reports, collecting home owners association fees and other functions.

 

Our Competitive Strengths

 

As of the date of this prospectus, we distinguish ourselves through the following competitive strengths:

 

Strong branding effect

 

Building on existing communities, we continue to expand our network of access control screens by seizing opportunities in the urban renewal market. By collaborating with property managers and developers, we are solidifying our position in this segmented field.

 

Robust Research and Development capabilities

 

We have a dedicated research and development team responsible for constructing and maintaining our devices and hardware system, as well as developing new products and features. This team, with extensive experience in discerning IoT smart technology requirements, spearheading product innovation and carrying out technical implementation, ensures ongoing solutions to challenges and consistent upgrades to our technology infrastructure.

 

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Experienced leadership team

 

The founders of our team have successful entrepreneurial experiences. The founder and Chairman, Andong Zhang, is an expert in intelligent construction designated by the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development and a distinguished entrepreneur in China. Mr. Zhang is responsible for overall company strategy, positioning, and operational management. Prior to founding the Company, Mr. Zhang founded Qiushi, our hardware supplier and a company engaged in manufacturing monitors and other IoT products. As a model company in the IoT industry, Qiushi received multiple site-visits from industrial associations and governmental officials. With years of deep involvement in intelligent digital technology, products and services, Mr. Zhang has amassed a wealth of industry resources and developed strategic acumen. Since our establishment in 2014, we have broadened our offerings beyond access control systems and related advertising to provide comprehensive advertising packages to clients. This strategic diversification leverages our robust technological capabilities and our strategic alliances with partner outdoor advertising providers to deliver superior value to our clients.

 

Mature business model

 

The Company’s three business verticals—Smart Community, Out-of-Home Advertising and Local Life—possess a potent synergy. The growth in one vertical can drive improvements in others. Our Smart Community provides crucial access points. These resources benefit our Out-of-Home Advertising by offering an invaluable advertising platform, At the same time, our Local Life services leverage Smart Community’s access points and network to amplify reach and enhance effectiveness. As the number of access control screens increases in Smart Community, the sales volume and bargaining power of our Out-of-Home Advertising grow. Our Local Life vertical complements our Out-of-Home Advertising by providing social media advertising and promotional services. By capitalizing on our operational and technological capabilities, the Company has connected these three sectors within the community landscape, creating a flywheel effect where 1+1+1 > 3 and achieving a more resilient business model.

 

Integration of solutions from various suppliers

 

The Company aggregates and empowers other outdoor advertising platforms, such as screens in public transportation, building elevators and hotel rooms, as well as advertising opportunities in offline events and activities. We provide customers with integrated multi-channel marketing solutions and precise programmatic delivery. Based on specific customer needs, we can offer tailored advertising planning and broadcasting solutions, using a mix of multi-scene out-of-home advertising, poster displays in events and social media marketing. Through strategic collaborations with other advertising providers and resource owners, we deliver comprehensive and effective advertising services to our clients, helping them achieve maximum brand promotion and product success, truly integrating brand visibility and effectiveness.

 

Favorable marketing ecosystem

 

Our meticulously planned and executed marketing efforts have forged a robust alliance within the out-of-home advertising industry that pools customer bases. In addition, by employing a model that combines our in-house marketing team with third-party city partners, we continually expand into new strategic cities, enabling us to maintain a solid position in the Smart Community field while simultaneously expanding our advertising platform.

 

Our Growth Strategies

 

We plan to pursue the following strategies to grow our business:

 

Solidify our industry position. 

 

We intend to continue expanding our marketing efforts to increase awareness of our offerings and brand, aiming to attract new buyers of our intelligent access control and safety management systems and recruit additional city partners. We plan to complete further regional expansions in 2024, in order to strategically enhance our geographic coverage. In addition, we are committed to the continual development and innovation of our content, service offerings, hardware and software development and integration capabilities, which forms our core competitiveness in penetrating existing and new markets.

 

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Enhance our ability to attract, incentivize and retain merchant customers.

 

We aim to further enhance our offerings to attract and retain merchant customers. Leveraging our technological capabilities and network of access control screens, our Local Life vertical bridges residents’ needs for convenient selection and purchase of reliable and competitively priced products and services and merchants’ demands for effective product and service promotion. Recognizing the vast sales potential in the residential community landscape, we plan to deepen our engagement with merchants and manufacturers within our Local Life space. We intend to enable them to offer home delivery services for household supplies and food, coordinate flight and train tickets, hotel accommodation and admission tickets for residents, and present top deals from leading e-commerce platforms. We have started to execute this strategy since the beginning of 2023. We intend to utilize our integrated multi-channel advertising solutions to provide promotional services to merchants and manufacturers that focus on improving their sales performance. At the same time, we provide community households with easy access to high-quality and low-cost products and services, which attracts more communities to join our Smart Community platform, expanding both the audience scope and the marketing resources of the platform. To achieve this, we will continuously refine our business model.

 

Expand into overseas markets.

 

We plan to apply the Company’s model beyond China, targeting foreign markets. The overseas community access control markets show positive trends in technological innovation and demand for security and intelligence, despite regional differences. With the increasing need for safety and convenience, we project completion of our overseas market expansion within the next 3-5 years.

 

Marketing and Sales

 

The Company’s marketing and sales efforts have focused on (i) increasing the number of monitors, (ii) engaging and retaining merchant customers, and (iii) integrating its screens with those of other providers.

 

Installing Screens

 

As of the date of this prospectus, the Company has installed approximately 73,717 monitors, covering more than 2.7 million households, 4,000 communities that include almost all first and second-tier cities in China. We utilize the following strategies in expanding our monitors’ geographical coverage: (i) direct sales of hardware and/or software, (ii) turnkey projects, (iii) partnerships with city partners, and (iv) participation in competitive bidding organized by property developers as a subcontractor. The approach of utilizing city partners takes advantage of local knowledge, a key element in achieving success in a new market. Local city partners are well-positioned to provide valuable insights into the city’s unique needs, demands, and opportunities. We incentivize city partners through revenue sharing arrangements and provide constant support and training including guidance on how to secure local advertising opportunities.

 

Recruiting Customers

 

Our Smart Community clients are attracted by our business model and success stories from other cities. Once on board, they play an active role in community resource development and management. Our Out-of-Home Advertising clients are usually specific to the cities we serve and are introduced through industry events, referrals from existing clients and alliances with other outdoor advertising agencies and media companies. At the same time, we join forces with these agencies and media companies to deliver comprehensive advertising solutions. With more than 4,000 communities we serve now, our Local Life vertical has increasingly focused on manufacturers. This shift aligns with residents’ needs for necessities and household supplies. We plan to directly engage high-quality suppliers and producers, aiming to facilitate large-scale sales.

 

Screen Integration

 

We have made efforts to partner with other advertising agencies and platforms. This enables us to share customer bases and deliver a comprehensive advertising solution to customers. Our ability to integrate advertising resources from multiple channels constitutes a key competitive advantage of our business. Through screen integration, our customers’ advertisements are displayed across a variety of scenes as part of our all-inclusive packages. We are continuously striving to establish partnerships with additional advertising platforms and providers to further enhance our advertising service packages. This intra-industry cooperation proves to be a cost-efficient strategy for increasing our brand awareness as well as the visibility, reach and effectiveness of the advertisements we manage.

 

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Customers

 

Our customers base includes the following main categories: (i) advertising agencies and media companies, (ii) merchants, including both local and national businesses such as restaurants, hotels, tourist companies, retail stores and cinemas, and various product producers, (iii) property development and management companies, and (iv) retailers.

 

We employ a multi-faceted approach to acquiring our customers through our sales representatives, industry associations, existing clients and strategic partners. Some clients reach out to us, drawn by our strong reputation. In building relations with clients, we follow principles that emphasize jointly resource building, resource sharing, profit sharing and a dedication to growing user base via positive user experiences. For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, the Company has a total of 103 and 247 customers, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2023, we have a total of 128 and 102 customers, respectively.

 

We rely on a small number of customers for a significant portion of our revenues. For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, the customers who individually accounted for at least 10% of the Company’s revenues collectively made up 63.2% and 84.8% of the Company’s total revenues, respectively. The top three customers who accounted for 84.4% of the Company’s revenue in 2022 were Xie Lv (32%), East Entertainment (28%) and Baidu (25%). For the six months ended June 30, 2023, the customers who individually accounted for at least 10% of the Company’s revenues collectively made up 41.2% of the Company’s total revenues. For the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2023, our top three customers collectively accounted for approximately 62.4% and 50.0% of our revenue, respectively. Our top three customers during the first six months ended June 30, 2023 were Xie Lv (28.3%), East Entertainment (12.9%) and Spark Society (8.8%). As of the date of this prospectus, our top customers are located in Fujian province, Guangdong province, Jiangxi province and Beijing city. 

 

Strategic Partnerships

 

Screen integration and intra-industry alliances constitute a key competitive strength of our business. Such alliances and resource-sharing practices are built on strategic cooperation framework agreements we have entered into with other advertising agencies and media companies such as Xie Lv and East Entertainment. For specific cooperation projects, we may enter into additional separate advertisement placement agreement that sets forth the project term, collaboration methods, price and payment. Under such advertisement placement agreements, we will be jointly liable for the services of the subcontractors, which comprise activities such as placing the client’s advertisements on the subcontractor’s screens. One of our top customers is Baidu, the leading Chinese search engine. We are a party to the Baidu Screen Integration Promotion and Cooperation Agreement, pursuant to which Baidu’s advertisers place advertisements on our monitors through real time bidding (RTB) and contractual modes. For a description of material terms of our agreements with Xie Lv, East Entertainment and Baidu, please see “—Major Customers” below.

  

Major Customers

 

Xie Lv, East Entertainment and Baidu were the Company’s top customers in 2022. In 2022, we entered into a Strategic Cooperation Framework Agreement with Xie Lv that does not contain an expiration date. Additionally, we signed Advertising Placement Agreements with East Entertainment in both 2022 and 2023, using a template that was largely identical. Similarly, we entered into the Baidu Screen Integration Promotion and Cooperation Agreement with Baidu in both 2022 and 2023, using the same form. Below is a summary of material terms of the agreements we have entered into with them. Such summary does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the text of such agreements or their forms, the English translation of which are filed as Exhibits 10.5, 10.6 and 10.7 to this registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

 

Strategic Cooperation Framework Agreement with Xie Lv

 

Xie Lv is a Chinese company that provides multi-scenario marketing services with a focus on the hospitality scene. On June 5, 2022, the Company entered into a Strategic Cooperation Framework Agreement with Xie Lv, pursuant to which the Company and Xie Lv established a collaborative arrangement whereby both parties agreed to exchange advertising resources and mutually refer advertising placements to each other. This Strategic Cooperation Framework Agreement does not specify a fixed term, allowing for termination through mutual discussion. In the event of termination, both parties shall continue outstanding projects until their completion, unless both parties mutually decide to terminate such projects early. This agreement does not provide for any minimum purchase requirements.

 

Advertising Placement Agreement with East Entertainment

 

East Entertainment is an integrated entertainment media company in China with partnerships with brands, artists and social media influencers. The 2022 Advertising Placement Agreement with East Entertainment was effective from May 23, 2022, to December 26, 2022 (the “2022 EE Agreement”), and the 2023 Advertising Placement Agreement with East Entertainment was effective from February 15, 2023 to September 30, 2023 (the “2023 EE Agreement”). If there were outstanding obligations for either party as of the expiration date, the agreement should continue in effect until such obligations are fulfilled. The parties shall negotiate the renewal of the agreement one month before the expiration date.

 

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Under the 2022 EE Agreement, East Entertainment agreed to purchase advertisement placements from the Company for a total price of RMB46 million. Under the 2023 EE Agreement, East Entertainment agreed to purchase advertisement placements from the Company for a total price of RMB30 million. The Company had the right to subcontract or reassign tasks but shall remain accountable for any actions taken by subcontractors. The Company was required to act as the chief planner and executor of the advertising placements on behalf of East Entertainment. The parties agreed to a monthly settlement schedule and East Entertainment shall make payments within three (3) months after placing the respective advertisement.

 

Under such agreements, East Entertainment was responsible for furnishing the advertisement content, and the Company had the right to review and approve. The advertisement content provided by East Entertainment must be true and legal and comply with applicable laws and regulations. East Entertainment shall have the authorization to publish such content. East Entertainment should provide all the pertinent documentation associated with the advertisements, such as business license, trademark registration certificate, production permit, food distribution permit, etc. Moreover, East Entertainment must ensure that the advertisement content does not infringe on any third-party rights. The Company should publish the advertisements in accordance with agreed-upon terms and monitor them after their publication. If there are any delays in the publication due to unforeseen circumstances from either side, both parties can mutually agree on an extension based on the agreement’s terms.

 

If the date and position of any advertisement were different from those stipulated in the agreement due to non-force majeure factors, East Entertainment shall compensate the Company and reschedule the publication accordingly.

 

In the event of any dispute arising from this agreement, the parties shall endeavor to resolve the dispute amicably through friendly negotiations. If negotiations fail to resolve the dispute, either party may bring the matter to the competent people’s court in the jurisdiction where the plaintiff is located. This agreement also provides for customary confidentiality provisions.

 

Additionally, the Company, through its subsidiary Lianzhang Media, has entered into a Strategic Collaboration Framework Agreement with East Entertainment, dated March 1, 2022. This framework agreement is identical in material aspects to the framework agreement we entered into with Xie Lv and does not contain an expiration date.

 

Baidu Screen Integration Promotion and Cooperation Agreement

 

The agreement with Baidu in 2022 provides that the collaboration period commenced on January 1, 2022 and ended on December 31, 2022. The agreement with Baidu in 2023 provides that the collaboration period commenced on January 1, 2023 and ended on December 31, 2023.

 

Collaboration approach and modes. The Company offers all offline screen advertising spaces to Baidu’s advertisers, encompassing current and future screens and slots unless Baidu specifies otherwise. Collaboration modes include (1) RTB Mode, which uses Baidu’s platform for real-time bidding to place advertisements on offline screens, billing via cost per mille (CPM); (2) Contract Mode, which offers fixed placements, billing via CPM, CPT, or other methods specified in supplementary agreements or Baidu’s platform backend; and (3) Other modes to be detailed later. To end collaboration, the Company must cease using Baidu’s systems; continued use signifies ongoing collaboration.

 

Baidu’s Rights and Obligations. Baidu oversees the operation and maintenance of technical codes related to the collaboration. Advertisers working with Baidu should provide promotional content, ensuring it complies with Chinese laws. If an advertiser breaches these laws, the Company can notify the advertiser and seek corrections, with damages claimable from the breaching advertiser. Baidu should deploy a dedicated team to guarantee smooth collaboration. Baidu will provide a transparent statistical system under the RTB Mode and have the authority to conduct anti-cheating checks based on their own data and statistics. While Baidu will not reveal all aspects of its anti-cheating mechanism to protect trade secrets, it should ensure fairness in its determinations, offering an appeal system for accused parties. Baidu can also monitor and assess the Company’s advertisement quality and quantity, issuing notices for underperformance. Baidu can adjust service prices and content, notifying the Company two weeks in advance in writing. If unsatisfied, the Company can terminate the agreement within two weeks of receiving such notices from Baidu. Baidu shall have the discretion to delegate some obligations to its affiliated enterprises.

 

Company’s Rights and Obligations. The Company shall maintain legal qualifications for its offline screens, ensuring its screens do not display content violating national laws or moral norms. The Company is accountable for ensuring the promotional traffic from its screens is legitimate, authentic, and consistent with the agreement’s objectives, and should offer Baidu proof of advertisements reaching targeted audience. Violations of this requirement constitute a fundamental breach, and Baidu has the right to reduce remuneration or even terminate the agreement. The Company must embed Baidu’s technical codes in their offline displays and shall assign a dedicated team to ensure smooth collaboration with Baidu. The Company shall not alter Baidu’s functionalities or content, nor misuse or share them with third parties. The Company should play a proactive role in promoting the collaboration and maximizing collaborative benefits. Technical glitches that arise during collaboration should be addressed by mutual discussion. The Company shall assure that all necessary administrative approvals are in place, all data transmitted to Baidu is legal, and when handling personal data, user consent has been explicitly obtained. The Company’s advertisement requests, offline screens and advertisement placements should be genuine, legal and valid. Under the Contract Mode, Baidu expects a comprehensive written report within three (3) days after the performance of each contract, and can request further evidence up to 90 days following the termination of such contract.

 

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Revenue Distribution. Both parties shall settle revenue generated from displayed or clicked-on promotional content in accordance with Baidu’s guidelines. Each party bears its own expenses, such as development costs. Revenue from the API collaboration is settled based on factors like placement quality, traffic nature, value to Baidu, collaboration form and length, by reference to Baidu’s backend data. The Company shall either accept Baidu’s settlement policy or terminate the agreement, and the Company is responsible for taxes on such revenue. The settlement price/ratio is chosen based on the billing mode, with the opportunity to discuss adjustments between Baidu and the Company semi-annually or quarterly. Adjustments will be finalized through supplementary agreements established via email. For monthly settlements, the Company must upload placement information to Baidu’s platform timely. Baidu’s settlements are made before the 1st of each calendar month, based on agreed-upon standards for the previous month. If the Company has issues with the settlement, it must communicate in writing to Baidu within three (3) days after receiving Baidu’s data. Absent objections, the Company must send an invoice within the first five (5) working days of each month, and Baidu shall pay the invoice by the 30th of the month. Without clear evidence from an accredited institution proving errors, Baidu’s data shall be used.

 

Dispute and Early Termination. In the event of a dispute arising out of the agreement, both parties shall first seek resolutions via amicable negotiations. If negotiations fail, the dispute shall be submitted to the People’s Court of Haidian District, Beijing. The agreement can be terminated by either party upon fifteen (15) days’ written notice under any of the following circumstances: (i) if the other party is subject to liquidation, dissolution or bankruptcy, (ii) if the other party’s overdue debts amount to 50% of its net assets, or its bankruptcy proceeding has continued for three months, and (iii) if the Company adjusts its screens for its overall product plan, which makes it unable to continue to perform the agreement, the Company shall notify Baidu in writing ten (10) working days in advance of terminating the agreement, and the agreement will terminate after confirmation by Baidu. An early termination will not affect outstanding settlements, prior payment obligations, or other rights and obligations occurring before termination, unless otherwise specified in the agreement.

 

The agreement also contains customary representations, warranties and confidentiality provisions.

 

Suppliers

 

We do not manufacture but instead procure our access control hardware such as monitors, smart speakers, intercom handsets and access control card dispensers from an affiliated manufacturer, Xiamen Qiushi Intelligent Network Equipment Co., Ltd, a company of the Qiushi Group founded and controlled by our Chairman, Mr. Andong Zhang. We believe the terms under which we purchase hardware from Qiushi are comparable to what we would have obtained through third-party suppliers. Despite the fact that Qiushi is currently our sole supplier of hardware, we believe that, if needed, additional or alternative suppliers would be available, and we own all the core software technologies related to such hardware.

 

We have engaged Henduoka, a related party, to provide the SaaS software infrastructure of the intelligent access control and safety management system, pursuant to that certain Business Cooperation Agreement. Material terms of the Business Cooperation Agreement include, without limitation, as follows:

 

Term. January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2025. The agreement will automatically terminate on the expiration date, December 31, 2025, provided that if the rights and obligations of the parties are not fully performed by such date, the agreement shall be extended until both parties have fully performed such rights and obligations. The parties may negotiate the renewal of the agreement within one month before the expiration date.

 

Cooperation Matter. Lianzhang Portal engages Henduoka to provide SaaS software services and back-end management system for community properties that utilize Lianzhang Portal’s intelligent access control and safety management system. Henduoka shall ensure the provided services function properly and provide relevant operational guidance.

 

Fee. Lianzhang Portal shall pay a fee equal to the product of (i) the number of communities actively using the provided software, multiplied by (ii) RMB100, on a quarterly basis.

 

Dispute Resolution. The governing law is PRC laws. If negotiation fails to resolve, any disputes arising out of this agreement shall be heard and determined by the competent People’s Court in Siming District, Xiamen City.

 

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The agreement also contains customary representations and warranties and other customary terms and conditions. This summary of the terms of the Business Cooperation Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the text of the agreement, the English translation of which is filed as Exhibit 10.3 to this registration statement. See also “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and Industry—We have engaged in transactions with related parties, and terms obtained or consideration that we paid in connection with these transactions may not be comparable to terms available or the amounts that would be paid in arm’s length transactions.”

 

As our Local Life – Retail Sales business develops, we have sourced beverages, groceries and travel packages from various upstream suppliers. Currently, these suppliers primarily comprise large wholesalers, trading companies and manufacturers who have the capacity to provide a long-term, stable supply of goods and services. We have entered into minimum purchase amount contracts with several suppliers. For more information on these minimum purchase obligations, please see “Note 12(c). Unconditional purchase obligations” to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2023 on page F-20.

 

Competition

 

The community building access control, out-of-home advertising and consumer service e-commerce sectors are rapidly evolving and competitive, with many potential competitors. As a result, we face competition from a range of competitors. We believe that, in the community building access control sector, our primary competitors include Shenzhen Ban Life Technology Co., Ltd., Guangzhou Heli Zhengtong Information Technology Co., Ltd., and Shenzhen Qinlin Technology Co., Ltd.; in the out-of-home advertising sector, our primary competitors include Focus Media and XinChao Media; and in the consumer service e-commerce market, our primary competitors include QianQian HuiShengHuo and LianLian Zhoubianyou.

 

We believe that we are strategically well-positioned in these sectors, and we compete with others favorably based on our advanced access control system, the synergy and efficiency across our Smart Community, Out-of-Home Advertising and Local Life verticals, our strong research and development capabilities, mature business model and experienced leadership team.

 

Intellectual Property

 

Intellectual property and proprietary rights are critical to the success of our business. We rely on a combination of patent, copyright, trademark, and trade secret laws in China, as well as license agreements, confidentiality procedures, non-disclosure agreements, and other contractual protections, to establish and protect our intellectual property and proprietary rights, including our proprietary technology, software, know-how, and brand.

 

We spend a significant amount of time and resources on research and development efforts. During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021, and 2022, and the six months ended June 30, 2023, we spent RMB6.4 million, RMB6.9 million ($1.0 million) and RMB3.1 million ($0.4 million) on research and development, respectively.

 

Copyrights

 

As of the date of this prospectus, we have registered the following 52 software copyrights with the PRC National Copyright Administration. Copyright protection is granted in the PRC. Under the PRC Copyright Law and the Regulations on the Protection of Computer Software, the term of protection for copyrighted software of legal persons is 50 years and ends on December 31 of the 50th year from the software’s initial release.

 

Category

  Registration Number (Initial Release Year)
Comprehensive Platform   ● 2016SR268483 (2016)
Access Control Devices  

● 2015SR066819 (2014)

● 2022SR1550431 (2022)*

Access Control App  

● 2015SR068606 (2014)

● 2015SR108146 (2014)

● 2020SR0123158 (2019)

● 2022SR1550543 (2022)*

● 2022SR1550542 (2022)*

Indoor Unit  

● 2020SR0123042 (2019)

● 2020SR0229048 (2019)

● 2022SR0396141 (2022)

Property Management Equipment  

● 2020SR0122771 (2019)

● 2020SR0228850 (2019)

 

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Neighborhood  

●2020SR0123154 (2019)

● 2020SR0123302 (2019)

● 2020SR0123286 (2019)

● 2020SR0123146 (2019)

● 2020SR0123150 (2019)

● 2018SR923164 (2018)

● 2020SR0132877 (2019)

● 2020SR0132883 (2019)

● 2018SR923171 (2018)

● 2018SR923176 (2018)

O2O (Online to Offline)  

● 2020SR0123298 (2019)

● 2020SR0123294 (2019)

● 2020SR0123030 (2019)

● 2020SR0132887 (2019)

● 2020SR0132891 (2019)

● 2017SR677213 (2017)

Smart Community  

● 2020SR0123163 (2019)

● 2021SR1811945 (2021)*

Online Mall  

● 2017SR087426 (2016)

● 2020SR0123290 (2019)

Advertising  

● 2015SR068609 (2014)

● 2016SR220719 (2016)

● 2019SR0698155 (2018)

● 2020SR0132983 (2019)

Repair and Maintenance Tools  

● 2020SR0123114 (2019)

● 2020SR0123167 (2019)

● 2017SR676256 (2017)

● 2017SR677175 (2017)

● 2023SR0510595 (2023)*

Access Control Platform   ● 2016SR107828 (2016)

● 2016SR124541 (2016)

● 2021SR0042407 (2020)

Facial Recognition   ● 2019SR0698077 (2018)
Watermelon Lease  

● 2021SR0024505 (2020)

● 2021SR0024586 (2020)

● 2021SR1811911 (2021)

● 2021SR1811944 (2021)

Panda Visitor   2021SR0024579 (2020)
Door Open, Money In   ● 2021SR1811920 (2021)

 

* Initial release date information is not shown on the copyright certificate, so the software’s development completion date is used instead.

 

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Patents

 

Patents in the PRC are principally protected under the Patent Law of the PRC. The duration of a patent right is 10 years, 15 years, or 20 years from the date of application, depending on the type of patent right. As of the date of this prospectus, the Company owns a total of 6 patents.

 

Title

  Type   Filing Date   Status   Issue Date   Patent No.
Monitor (显示器)   Industrial Design Patent   November 13, 2014   Issued   May 6, 2015   ZL 2014 3 0445800.5
A wall-mounted structure for advertising machines (一种广告机壁挂结构)   Utility Patent   November 26, 2014   Issued   April 22, 2015   ZL 2014 2 0730245.5
A mechanism that enables mobile interconnectivity for visual intercom building advertising units (一种实现移动互联可视对讲楼宇广告单元机)   Utility Patent   February 11, 2015   Issued   July 8, 2015   ZL 2015 2 0097548.2
A card reader template compatible with multiple smart cards (一种兼容多智能卡的读卡模板)   Utility Patent   May 14, 2015   Issued   September 9, 2015   ZL 2015 2 0310231.2
Mechanism for an advertising unit machine (一种广告单元机机构)   Utility Patent   May 5, 2015   Issued   September 9, 2015   ZL 2015 2 0282712.7
A smart sticker card that serves as a mobile companion (一种手机伴侣智能贴卡)   Utility Patent   June 11, 2015   Issued   September 23, 2015   ZL 2015 2 0399999.1

 

Trademarks

 

The PRC Trademark Law has adopted a “first-to-file” principle with respect to trademark registration. Registered trademarks are protected under the Trademark Law of the PRC and related rules and regulations. Trademarks are registered with the Trademark Office of the State Administration for Industry and Commerce (SAIC). Where registration is sought for a trademark that is identical or similar to another trademark which has already been registered or given preliminary examination and approval for use in the same or similar category of commodities or services, the application for registration of such trademark may be rejected. Trademark registrations are effective for a renewable ten-year period, unless otherwise revoked. As of the date of this prospectus, the Company owns a total of 14 registered trademarks.

 

Trademark

  Class   Application Date   Registration Number   Registration Date   Valid Until
  9   2015/9/8   17845027   2016-10-21   2026/10/20
  11   2015/9/8   17844633   2016-10-14   2026/10/13
  35   2015/9/8   17845187   2016-10-21   2026/10/20
  37   2015/9/8   17845387   2016-10-14   2026/10/13
  41   2015/9/8   17845352   2016-10-21   2026/10/20
  42   2015/9/8   17844940   2016-10-14   2026/10/13
  45   2015/9/8   17845545   2016-10-14   2026/10/13
  11   2015/9/16   17914992   2016-10-28   2026/10/27
  35   2015/9/16   17915065   2017-12-28   2027/12/27
  37   2015/9/16   17915227   2016-10-28   2026/10/27
  38   2015/9/16   17915324   2016-10-28   2026/10/27
  41   2015/9/17   17918133   2017-08-28   2027/8/27
  45   2015/9/17   17918291   2016-10-28   2026/10/27
    38   2020/07/10   47997415   2021-02-28  

2031/02/27

   

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Employees

 

As of December 31, 2020, 2021 and 2022, we employed 51, 95 and 196 full-time employees in various locations in PRC. The following table sets forth the number of employees by function as of December 31, 2022.

 

Department/Function

  Employees
Management   5
Research and Development   37
Finance   11
Human Resource   6
Sales   32
Operations   77
Hardware Maintenance   23
Smart Community Account Development and Management Center   4
Legal   1
TOTALS   196

 

We enter into standard employment contracts under PRC laws with our full-time employees which contain standard confidentiality provisions. In addition to base salaries and benefits, we provide performance-based bonuses for our full-time employees and commission-based compensation for our sales and marketing force.

 

We go to great lengths to ensure that we have a healthy work environment, and we believe that we have excellent relationships with our employees. None of our employees are represented by a labor union or covered by a collective bargaining agreement.

 

Facilities

 

Our principal executive offices are located at Unit 311, Floor 3, No. 5999 Wuxing Avenue, Zhili Town, Wuxing District, Huzhou City, Zhejiang province, People’s Republic of China 313000.

 

Currently, our aggregate monthly rent is RMB55,990 (approximately $7,721). The table below summarizes the real property we lease.

 

Address

  Leased/Owned   Term   Purpose

Unit 311, Floor 3, No. 5999 Wuxing Avenue, Zhili Town, Wuxing District, Huzhou City, Zhejiang province, People’s Republic of China 313000

 

  Leased   July 1, 2023 – December 31, 2026   Office

Unit 1-5, No. 59-2, Wanghai Street, Siming District, Xiamen, Fujian, People’s Republic of China, 361008

 

  Leased  

Unit 1-4: January 1, 2023 – December 31, 2023;

Unit 5: May 10, 2023 – May 9, 2024

  Office
Level 11-12, No. 1-B, Gongboyuan, Xinwu District, Wuxi, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China, 214111   Leased   December 1, 2020 – December 31, 2025   Office

 

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Other than the facilities listed above, we do not lease or own other real property. We believe that our current facilities are adequate and suitable for our current needs, and should it be needed, suitable additional or alternative space will be available to accommodate any expansion of our operations.

 

Seasonality

 

As the Company relies on advertising income for a large portion of its revenues, the financial results have demonstrated a seasonal pattern, with higher sales in the third and fourth quarters. The peak periods of business occur in September and October, coinciding with the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holidays in China, during which many sectors experience a surge in sales.

 

Businesses in industries such as food (with mooncakes, souvenirs, and other products being popular items during the Mid-Autumn Festival), tobacco and alcohol beverage (in high demand as gifts during holidays), dining, scenic spots (recognized as hot-selling seasons during “Golden September and Silver October”), automobiles (a peak season for car upgrading and replacements), home furnishing (favorable weather for decoration during September and October) and others, allocate significant portions of their advertising budgets to the third and fourth quarters to seize the opportunity for sales growth.

 

Insurance

 

As of the date of this prospectus, the Company’s PRC subsidiaries the Company’s PRC subsidiaries are paying adequate social insurance contributions for all of their employees, either through third-party human resource service companies or by themselves directly, but have not paid sufficient housing fund contributions. We estimate that the outstanding housing fund contributions amounted to approximately RMB38,131, RMB73,937 (approximately $10,196) and RMB26,407 (approximately $3,642) for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, and the six months ended June 30, 2023, respectively. Pursuant to the Social Insurance Law of the People’s Republic of China, if an employer fails to make full and timely contributions to social insurance, the relevant enforcement agency shall order the employer to make all outstanding contributions within five days of such order and impose penalties equal to 0.05% of the total outstanding amount for each additional day such contributions are overdue. If the employer fails to make all outstanding contributions within five days of such order, the relevant enforcement agency may impose penalties equal to one to three times the amount overdue. As of the date of this prospectus, none of our PRC subsidiaries has received any employee complaint or any government audit request, or penalty orders for any non-compliance with PRC social insurance and housing fund regulations. See also “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—Our failure to make adequate contributions to various employee benefit plans as required by PRC regulations may subject our PRC subsidiaries to penalties.

 

We do not maintain any business interruption insurance, key-man life insurance, or other insurance.

 

Legal Proceedings

 

We may from time to time become involved in legal proceedings or be subject to claims arising in the ordinary course of our business. Litigation or any other legal or administrative proceeding, regardless of the outcome, is likely to result in substantial costs and diversion of our resources, including our management’s time and attention. As of the date of this prospectus, we are not aware of any such legal proceedings or claims that in the opinion of our management will have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or operating results. Although the results of litigation and claims cannot be predicted with certainty, we believe that the final outcome of ordinary course matters will not have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, financial condition or cash flows.

 

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REGULATIONS

 

Currently, all of our business operations are conducted in China. This section sets forth a summary of the most significant rules and regulations that affect our business activities in China and our Cayman Islands holding company, LZ Technology’s duties under the Data Protection Act (as revised) of the Cayman Islands (the “DPA”), based on internationally accepted principles of data privacy.

 

Regulations Related to Foreign Investment

 

Investment activities in the PRC by foreign investors are principally governed by the Catalog of Industries for Encouraging Foreign Investment (the “Encouraging Catalog”) and the Special Management Measures (Negative List) for the Access of Foreign Investment (the “Negative List”), which were promulgated and are amended from time to time by the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) and the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), and together with the Foreign Investment Law (the “FIL”), and their respective implementation rules and ancillary regulations. The Encouraging Catalog and the Negative List lay out the basic framework for foreign investment in the PRC, classifying businesses into three categories with regard to foreign investment: “encouraged,” “restricted” and “prohibited”. Industries not listed in the Catalog are generally deemed as falling into a fourth category “permitted” unless specifically restricted by other PRC laws.

 

On March 15, 2019, the National People’s Congress promulgated the FIL, which became effective on January 1, 2020 and replaced the major laws and regulations governing foreign investment in the PRC. Pursuant to the FIL, “foreign investments” refer to investment activities conducted by foreign investors directly or indirectly in the PRC, which include any of the following circumstances: (1) foreign investors setting up foreign-invested enterprises in the PRC solely or jointly with other investors, (2) foreign investors obtaining shares, equity interests, property portions or other similar rights and interests of enterprises within the PRC, (3) foreign investors investing in new projects in the PRC solely or jointly with other investors, and (4) investment of other methods as specified in laws, administrative regulations, or as stipulated by the State Council.

 

According to the FIL, foreign investment shall enjoy pre-entry national treatment, except for those foreign invested entities that operate in industries deemed to be either “restricted” or “prohibited” in the Negative List. The FIL provides that foreign invested entities operating in foreign “restricted” or “prohibited” industries will require entry clearance and other approvals. The FIL does not comment on the concept of “de facto control” or contractual arrangements with variable interest entities, however, it has a catch-all provision under definition of “foreign investment” to include investments made by foreign investors in the PRC through means stipulated by laws or administrative regulations or other methods prescribed by the State Council. Therefore, it still leaves leeway for future laws, administrative regulations or provisions to provide for contractual arrangements as a form of foreign investment.

 

On December 26, 2019, the State Council promulgated the Implementing Rules of FIL, which became effective on January 1, 2020. The Implementation Rules of FIL further clarified that the state encourages and promotes foreign investment, protects the lawful rights and interests of foreign investors, regulates foreign investment administration, continues to optimize foreign investment environment, and advances a higher-level opening.

 

On October 26, 2022, MOFCOM and the NDRC released the Encouraging Catalogue (2022 Version), which became effective on January 1, 2023, to replace the previous Encouraging Catalog. On December 27, 2021, MOFCOM and the NDRC released the Negative List (2021 Version), which became effective on January 1, 2022, to replace the previous Negative List. On March 12, 2022, the NDRC and MOFCOM promulgated the Market Access Negative List (2022 Version) (the “2022 Negative List”), which became effective on the same day.

 

On December 30, 2019, MOFCOM and the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) jointly promulgated the Measures for Information Reporting on Foreign Investment, which became effective on January 1, 2020. Pursuant to the Measures for Information Reporting on Foreign Investment, where a foreign investor carries out investment activities in the PRC directly or indirectly, the foreign investor or the foreign-invested enterprise shall submit the investment information to the competent commerce department.

 

LZ Menhu, our WFOE, as a foreign invested entity, and LZ Technology Holdings Limited, Dongrun Technology Holdings Limited and LZ Digital Technology Group Limited, as foreign investors, are required to comply with the information reporting requirements under the Implementing Rules of FIL. As of the date of this prospectus, our PRC operating subsidiaries’ business operations are not subject to the restrictions or prohibitions in the 2022 Negative List, and therefore our PRC operating subsidiaries’ business operations are in a permitted industry for foreign investment. 

 

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Regulations Related to the Advertising Industry

 

Advertising Law

 

The Advertising Law of the PRC (the “Advertising Law”) was promulgated by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (the “NPCSC”) on 27 October 1994, coming into effect on 1 February 1995, and was amended on 1 September 2015, 26 October 2018 and 29 April 2021. As defined in the Advertising Law, the term “advertisers” refers to any individuals, legal persons or other organizations that, directly or through certain agents, design, produce and publish advertisements for the purpose of promoting products or providing services. The term “advertising agents” refers to any individuals, legal persons or other organizations that are commissioned to provide advertising design, production or agency services. The term “advertising publishers” refers to any individuals, legal persons or other organizations that publish advertisements for the advertisers or for the advertising agents commissioned by the advertisers.

 

According to the Advertising Law, advertisements shall not contain any false or misleading information, and shall not deceive or mislead consumers. Advertising agents shall, in accordance with the law and administrative regulations, inspect and verify the relevant certification documents, and check the advertising contents. For any advertisement with inconsistent content or incomplete certification documents, advertising agents shall not provide design, production, or agent service. Where an advertising agent fails to provide the true name, address, and valid contact information of the advertiser(s), the consumers may require the advertising agent to make advance compensation. Where false advertisements for products or services relating to the life and health of consumers cause damage to the consumers, the advertising agents for such advertisements shall bear joint and several liabilities with the advertisers concerned. Where false advertisements for products or services other than that set out before cause damage to the consumers, in case that the advertising agents for such advertisements still design, produce, provide agency, or publish for the advertisements even though they know or should know the advertisements are false, they shall bear joint and several liabilities with the advertiser concerned. Where advertising agents know or should have known the content of the advertisements are false but still provide advertising design, production, or agent services in connection with the advertisements, they might be subject to penalties, including confiscation of revenue and fines, revocation of business licenses, or even criminal liabilities. Advertisements for medical treatment, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, agricultural pesticides, veterinary medicines and healthcare food, and other advertisements required to be reviewed by laws and administrative regulations shall be reviewed by the relevant authorities before they are published. No such advertisement shall be published without being reviewed.

 

Internet Advertising

 

According to the Advertising Law, the use of internet to publish or distribute advertisements shall not affect the normal use of the internet by users. Advertisements published on internet pages such as pop-up advertisements shall be indicated with conspicuous mark for close to ensure the close of such advertisements by one click.

 

According to the Interim Measures for the Administration of Internet Advertising, which was promulgated by the State Administration for Industry and Commerce on 4 July 2016 and became effective on 1 September 2016, internet advertisers, advertising agents, and/or advertisement publishers must enter into written contracts among them in conducting internet advertising activities. An internet advertising agent shall establish and improve an accepting registration, examination and file management system concerning internet advertising business; examine, verify and record the name, address, existing contact number of each advertiser and other information relating to the subject identity, establish registration files and verify and update them on a regular basis. Internet advertising agents shall verify related supporting documents, check the contents of the advertisement and be prohibited from designing, producing, providing agency services or publishing any advertisement with nonconforming contents or without all the necessary certification documents. Internet advertising agents shall be staffed with advertisement reviews that have acquaintance with advertisement regulations and, where conditions permit, set up a separate functional body for reviewing internet advertisements.

 

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Outdoor Advertising

 

According to the Advertising Law, the exhibition and display of outdoor advertisements may not: (i) utilize traffic safety facilities and traffic signs; (ii) impede the use of public facilities, traffic safety facilities, traffic signs, fire extinguishing facilities or fire control signs; (iii) obstruct production or people’s living, or damage city appearance; and (iv) be placed in restricted areas near government offices, cultural landmarks or historical or scenic sites, or be placed in areas prohibited by local governments at the county level or above from having outdoor advertisements. Administrative measures for outdoor advertisements shall be prescribed by local regulations and rules of local governments.

 

Advertising Fees

 

According to the Advertising Law, advertising agents shall make public their standards and methods for charging fees.

 

According to the Provisions on Clearly Marking the Prices of Advertisement Services, which was promulgated by the NDRC and the State Administration for Industry and Commerce on 28 November 2005 and became effective on 1 January 2006, an advertisement business operator shall, when providing services to advertisers, publicize the prices of and fee charges for advertisement services and other relevant contents in accordance with the relevant laws and regulations. The prices of advertisement services shall be subject to market regulation, and shall be independently determined by the advertisement business operators on the basis of the costs of services and the supply and demand in the market. An advertisement business operator may, when clearly marking prices, publicize them in advance by way of media announcement, public notice column, public notice bulletin, price list, handbook of charge rates, internet inquiry, multi-media terminal inquiry, voice messaging, and other methods recognized by the general public, and shall publicize the corresponding inquiry methods or the telephone numbers for the enquiry of clients.

 

We provide Out-of-Home Advertising services through both online and offline channels. As of the date of this prospectus, we are not aware of any non-compliance with regulations related to advertising that may materially and adversely affect our business.

 

Regulations related to Information Security

 

The Decisions on Protection of Internet Security enacted by the SCNPC in 2000, as amended on August 27, 2009, provides that, among other things, the following activities conducted through the internet, if constituted a crime according to PRC laws, are subject to criminal punishment: (1) intrusion into a strategically significant computer or system; (2) intentionally inventing and disseminating destructive programs, such as computer viruses, to attack the computer system and the communications network, thereby damaging the computer system and the communications networks; (3) violating national regulations, suspending the computer networks or the communication services without authorization, causing the computer network or communication system to fail to operate normally; (4) leaking state secrets; (5) spreading false commercial information; or (6) infringing intellectual property rights through internet.

 

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On November 7, 2016, the SCNPC promulgated the Cybersecurity Law of the PRC (the “Cybersecurity Law”), effective as of June 1, 2017, which applies to the construction, operation, maintenance and use of networks as well as the supervision and administration of cybersecurity in the PRC. According to the Cybersecurity Law, network operators are broadly defined as owners and administrators of networks and network service provider and subject to various security protection-related obligations, including but not limited to (1) complying with security protection obligations under graded system for cybersecurity protection requirements, which include formulating internal security management rules and operating instructions, appointing cybersecurity responsible personnel and their duties, adopting technical measures to prevent computer viruses, cyber-attack, cyber-intrusion and other activities endangering cybersecurity, adopting technical measures to monitor and record network operation status and cybersecurity incidents; (2) formulating a emergency plan and promptly responding to and handling security risks, initiating the emergency plans, taking appropriate remedial measures and reporting to regulatory authorities in the event comprising cybersecurity threats; and (3) providing technical assistance and support to public security and national security authorities for protection of national security and criminal investigations in accordance with the law.

 

On June 10, 2021, the SCNPC promulgated the Data Security Law of PRC (the “Data Security Law”), which became effective on September 1, 2021. The Data Security Law mainly sets forth specific provisions regarding establishing basic systems for data security management, including hierarchical data classification management system, risk assessment system, monitoring and early warning system, and emergency disposal system. In addition, it clarifies the data security protection obligations of organizations and individuals carrying out data activities and implementing data security protection responsibility.

 

On December 28, 2021, the CAC and other twelve PRC regulatory authorities jointly revised and promulgated the Measures for Cybersecurity Review (the “Cybersecurity Review Measures”), which became effective on February 15, 2022. The Cybersecurity Review Measures provides that, among others, (1) critical information infrastructure operators that purchase cyber products and services, or network platform operators that engage in data processing activities, if their activities affect or may affect national security, shall be subject to the cybersecurity review by the Cybersecurity Review Office, the office responsible for the implementation of cybersecurity review under the CAC; and (2) network platform operators with personal information data of more than one million users that seek listing in a foreign country are obliged to apply for a cybersecurity review by the Cybersecurity Review Office.

 

Thus, if any of our PRC subsidiaries (i) possesses personal information of more than one million users; (ii) is identified as a critical information infrastructure operator; or (iii) is requested by the cyberspace administration and other data protection authorities at state or local level to perform a cybersecurity review, we shall be subject to such cybersecurity reviews.

 

We do not collect or retain sensitive and confidential information but rely on an external vendor to provide our Smart Community’s software infrastructure. As of the date of this prospectus, none of our PRC subsidiaries (i) possesses personal information of more than one million users; (ii) is identified as a critical information infrastructure operator; or (iii) is requested by the cyberspace administration and other data protection authorities at state or local level to perform a cybersecurity review. Therefore, we are not required to apply for a cybersecurity review. We believe that we are compliant with the regulations or policies that have been issued by the CAC to date. However, there remains uncertainty as to the enactment, interpretation and implementation of regulatory requirements related to overseas securities offerings and data security. If applicable laws, regulations, or interpretations change, we are required to perform a cybersecurity review in the future, and we fail to obtain clearance from such review on a timely basis, we may be subject to governmental investigations, fines, penalties, orders to suspend operations and rectify any non-compliance, or prohibitions from conducting certain business or any financing. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—The development of the PRC legal system and changes in the interpretation and enforcement of PRC laws, regulations and policies in China could adversely affect us.”

 

Regulations Related to Intellectual Property Rights

 

Patent

 

The Patent Law of the PRC promulgated by the Standing Committee of the NPC on March 12, 1984, and was further amended in September 4, 1992, August 25, 2000, December 27, 2008. On June 15, 2001, the State Council promulgated the Implementation Regulation for the Patent Law, which was amended on January 9, 2010 and became effective on February 1, 2010. According to the Patent Law of the PRC and its implementing regulations, the State Intellectual Property Office of the PRC is primarily responsible for administering patents in the PRC. The patent administration departments of provincial or autonomous regions or municipal governments are responsible for administering patents within their respective jurisdictions. The Patent Law of the PRC and its implementation rules provide for three types of patents, “invention,” “utility model” and “design.” Invention patents are valid for twenty years, while design patents and utility model patents are valid for ten years, from the date of application. The Chinese patent system adopts a “first come, first file” principle, which means that where more than one person files a patent application for the same invention, a patent will be granted to the person who files the application first. To be patentable, invention or utility models must meet three criteria: novelty, inventiveness, and practicability. A third-party player must obtain consent or a proper license from the patent owner to use the patent. Otherwise, the use constitutes an infringement of the patent rights.

 

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On October 17, 2020, the Standing Committee of the NPC adopted the amendment to the Patent Law of the PRC (the “New Patent Law”). The New Patent Law became effective on June 1, 2021, according to which the invention patents are valid for twenty years, while utility model patents and design patents are valid for ten years and fifteen years respectively, from the date of application.

 

Copyright

 

The Standing Committee of the NPC adopted the Copyright Law of the PRC in 1990 and amended it in 2001 and 2010, respectively. The amended Copyright Law extends copyright protection to Internet activities, products disseminated over the Internet and software products. On November 11, 2020, the Standing Committee of the NPC adopted the amendment to the Copyright Law of the PRC (the “New Copyright Law”). The New Copyright Law became effective on June 1, 2021. Regulations of the PRC for the Implementation of Copyright Law was promulgated by the State Council on August 2, 2002 and amended on January 30, 2013. Pursuant to the Copyright Law and its implementation rules, creators of protected works enjoy personal and property rights, including, among others, the right of disseminating the works through information networks.

 

In order to further protect the computer software, the Computer Software Protection Regulations promulgated by the State Council on December 20, 2001 and last amended on January 30, 2013, which became effective on March 1, 2013, provides that the software copyright holder is entitled to the right of publication, acknowledgement, alteration, reproduction, distribution, leasing, dissemination through information networks, translation, etc. In addition, the State Copyright Bureau issued the Computer Software Copyright Registration Procedures on February 20, 2002, which applies to the registration of software copyright and to the registration of exclusive software copyright licensing contracts and transfer contracts.

 

Trademark

 

Trademarks are protected by the Trademark Law of the PRC (the “Trademark Law”) promulgated by the SCNPC on August 23, 1982, taking effect on March 1, 1983 and respectively amended on February 22, 1993, October 27, 2001, August 30, 2013 and April 23, 2019, and the Regulation for the Implementation of Trademark Law of the PRC, which was promulgated by the State Council on August 3, 2002, amended on April 29, 2014, and went into effect on May 1, 2014. The trademark office under the SAMR handles trademark registration and grants registered trademarks for a validity period of 10 years. Trademarks may be renewable every ten years where a registered trademark needs to be used after the expiration of its validity period. Trademark registrants may license, authorize others to use their registered trademark by signing up a trademark license contract. For trademarks, the Trademark Law adopts the principle of “prior application” with respect to trademark registration. Where a trademark under registration application is identical with or similar to another trademark that has, in respect of the same or similar commodities or services, been registered or, after preliminary examination and approval, this application for such trademark registration may be rejected. Anyone applying for trademark registration shall not prejudice the existing right first obtained by anyone else, or forestall others by improper means in registering a trademark which others have already begun to use and enjoyed certain degree of influence.

 

Domain Name

 

Domain names are protected under the Administrative Measures on Internet Domain Names promulgated by the MIIT on August 24, 2017 and effective as of November 1, 2017. Domain name registrations are handled through domain name service agencies established under the relevant regulations, and applicants become domain name holders upon successful registration.

 

On November 27, 2017, the MIIT promulgated the Notice on Regulating the Use of Domain Names in Providing Internet-based Information Services, which became effective on January 1, 2018. Pursuant to the notice, the domain name used by an Internet-based information service provider in providing Internet-based information services must be registered and owned by such provider in accordance with the law. If the Internet-based information service provider is an entity, the domain name registrant must be the entity (or any of the entity’s shareholders), or the entity’s principal or senior executive.

 

Our PRC operating subsidiaries own a total of 52 software copyrights, 6 patents, 14 registered trademarks and 2 domain names. As of the date of this prospectus, we are not aware of any intellectual property infringement claims that may materially and adversely affect our business.

 

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Regulations Related to Lease on Real Property

 

According to the Civil Code, the lease agreement shall be in writing if its term is over six months, and the term of any lease agreement shall not exceed 20 years. During the lease term, any change of ownership to the leased property does not affect the validity of the lease contract. The tenant may sub-let the leased property if it is agreed by the landlord and the lease agreement between the landlord and the tenant is still valid and binding. When the landlord is to sell a leased housing under a lease agreement, it shall give the tenant a reasonable advance notice before the sale, and the tenant has the priority to buy such leased housing on equal conditions. The tenant must pay rent on time in accordance with the lease contract. In the event of default of rental payment without reasonable cause, the landlord may ask the tenant to pay within a reasonable period of time, failing which the landlord may terminate the lease. The landlord has the right to terminate the lease agreement if the tenant sub-lets the property without consent from the landlord, or causes loss to the leased properties resulting from its using the property not in compliance with the usage as stipulated in the lease agreement, or defaults in rental payment after the reasonable period as required by the landlord, or other circumstances occurs allowing the landlord to terminate the lease agreement under relevant PRC laws and regulations, or otherwise, if the landlord wishes to terminate the lease before its expiry date, prior consent shall be obtained from the tenants.

 

On December 1, 2010, Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development promulgated the Administrative Measures for Leasing of Commodity Housing, which became effective on February 1, 2011. According to such measures, the landlords and tenants are required to enter into a lease contract which should generally contain specified provisions, and the lease contract should be registered with the relevant construction or property authorities at municipal or county level within 30 days after its conclusion. If the lease contract is extended or terminated or if there is any change to the registered items, the landlord and the tenant are required to effect alteration registration, extension of registration or deregistration with the relevant construction or property authorities within 30 days after the occurrence of the extension, termination or alteration.

  

All of our facilities are rented pursuant to lease agreements. As of the date of this prospectus, we are not aware of any non-compliance with regulations related to lease on real property that may materially and adversely affect our business.

 

Regulations Related to Foreign Exchange and Dividend Distribution

 

Foreign Currency Exchange

 

Pursuant to the Foreign Exchange Administration Regulations, as amended on August 5, 2008, Renminbi is freely convertible for current account items, including the distribution of dividends, interest payments, trade and service-related foreign exchange transactions, but not for capital account items, such as direct investments, loans, repatriation of investments and investments in securities outside of China, unless prior approval is obtained from the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE), and prior registration with SAFE is made.

 

SAFE promulgated the Notice of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Reforming the Administration of Foreign Exchange Settlement of Capital of Foreign Invested Enterprises, or the SAFE Circular 19, in replacement of the Circular on the Relevant Operating Issues Concerning the Improvement of the Administration of the Payment and Settlement of Foreign Currency Capital of Foreign-Invested Enterprises. SAFE further promulgated the Notice of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Reforming and Standardizing the Foreign Exchange Settlement Management Policy of Capital Account, or the SAFE Circular 16, as effective on June 9, 2016, which, among other things, amended certain provisions of SAFE Circular 19. According to SAFE Circular 19 and SAFE Circular 16, the flow and use of the Renminbi capital converted from foreign currency denominated registered capital of a foreign investment company is regulated such that Renminbi capital may not be used for business beyond its business scope or to provide loans to persons other than affiliates unless otherwise permitted under its business scope. Violations of SAFE Circular 19 or SAFE Circular 16 could result in administrative penalties.

 

Since 2012, SAFE has promulgated several circulars to substantially amend and simplify the current foreign exchange procedures. Pursuant to these circulars, the opening of foreign exchange accounts with various special purpose, the reinvestment with RMB proceeds by foreign investors in the PRC and remittance of profits and dividends in foreign currency foreign investment to its foreign shareholders are no longer subject to the approval or verification of SAFE. In addition, domestic companies are allowed to provide cross-border loans not only to their offshore subsidiaries, but also to their offshore parents and affiliates. SAFE also promulgated the Circular on Printing and Distributing the Provisions on Foreign Exchange Administration over Domestic Direct Investment by Foreign Investors and the Supporting Documents in May 2013, as amended in October 2018, which specifies that the administration by SAFE or its local branches over foreign investors’ direct investment in the PRC shall be conducted by way of registration, and banks shall process foreign exchange business relating to the direct investment in the PRC based on the registration information provided by SAFE and its branches. In February 2015, SAFE promulgated the Notice on Further Simplifying and Improving the Foreign Exchange Management Policies for Direct Investment, or the SAFE Circular 13, which became effect on June 1, 2015. SAFE Circular 13 delegates the power to enforce the foreign exchange registration in connection with inbound and outbound direct investments under relevant SAFE rules from local branches of SAFE to banks, thereby further simplifying the foreign exchange registration procedures for inbound and outbound direct investments. On January 26, 2017, SAFE issued the Circular on Further Advancing Foreign Exchange Administration Reform to Enhance Authenticity and Compliance Reviews, which stipulates several capital control measures with respect to the outbound remittance of profit from domestic entities to offshore entities, including (i) under the principle of genuine transaction, banks shall check board resolutions regarding profit distribution, the original version of tax filing records and audited financial statements; and (ii) domestic entities shall keep the income into the account for previous years’ losses before remitting the profits.

 

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Foreign Exchange Registration of Overseas Investment by PRC Resident

 

In 2014, SAFE issued the SAFE Circular on Relevant Issues Relating to Domestic Resident’s Investment and Financing and Roundtrip Investment through Special Purpose Vehicles, or the SAFE Circular 37. SAFE Circular 37 regulates foreign exchange matters in relation to offshore investments and financing or round-trip investments of residents or entities by way of special purpose vehicles in China. Under SAFE Circular 37, a “special purpose vehicle” refers to an offshore entity established or controlled, directly or indirectly, by PRC residents or entities for the purpose of seeking offshore financing or making offshore investments, using legitimate onshore or offshore assets or interests, while “round trip investment” refers to direct investments in China by PRC residents or entities through special purpose vehicles, namely, establishing foreign investment enterprises to obtain ownership, control rights and management rights. SAFE Circular 37 provides that, before making a contribution into a special purpose vehicle, PRC residents or entities are required to complete foreign exchange registration with SAFE or its local branch, and in the event the change of basic information such as the individual shareholder, name, operation term, etc., or if there is a capital increase, decrease, equity transfer or swap, merge, spin-off or other amendment of the material items, the PRC residents or entities shall complete the change of foreign exchange registration formality for offshore investments.

 

In 2015, SAFE promulgated the Notice on Further Simplifying and Improving the Administration of the Foreign Exchange Concerning Direct Investment. This notice has amended SAFE Circular 37 by requiring PRC residents or entities to register with qualified banks rather than SAFE or its local branches in connection in relation to their establishment or control of an offshore entities for the purpose of overseas investment or financing. PRC residents or entities who had contributed legitimate onshore or offshore interests or assets to special purpose vehicles but had not registered as required before the implementation of the SAFE Circular 37 must register their ownership interests or control in the special purpose vehicles with qualified banks. Amendments to the registration are required if there is any material change with respect to the registered special purpose vehicle, such as any change of basic information (including change of the PRC residents, name and operation term), increases or decreases in the investment amount, transfers or exchanges of shares, or mergers or divisions. Failure to comply with the registration procedures as set forth in SAFE Circular 37 and the subsequent notice, or making misrepresentations or failure to disclose the control of the foreign investment enterprise which is established through round-trip investments, may result in restrictions being imposed on the foreign exchange activities of the relevant foreign investment enterprise, including payment of dividends and other distributions, such as proceeds from any reduction in capital, share transfer or liquidation, to its offshore parent or affiliate, and the capital inflow from the offshore parent, and may also subject relevant PRC residents or entities to penalties under PRC foreign exchange administration regulations.

 

Dividend Distribution

 

The principal regulations governing distribution of dividends of foreign-invested enterprises include the PRC Company Law, the PRC foreign Investment Law, and the Implementation Rules of the Foreign Investment Law. Under these laws and regulations, foreign-invested enterprises in China may pay dividends only out of their accumulated after-tax profits, if any, determined in accordance with China accounting standards and regulations. In addition, a PRC company, including a foreign-invested enterprise in China, is required to allocate at least 10% of its accumulated profits each year, if any, to fund certain reserve funds until these reserves have reached 50% of the registered capital of the enterprise. A PRC company may, at its discretion, allocate a portion of its after-tax profits based on China accounting standards to staff welfare and bonus funds. These reserves are not distributable as cash dividends.

 

As of the date of this prospectus, we are not aware of any non-compliance with regulations related to foreign exchange and dividend distribution that may materially and adversely affect our business.

 

Regulations Related to Labor

 

Labor Law and Labor Contracts Law

 

According to the Labor Law of the PRC promulgated on July 5, 1994, and amended on August 27, 2009 and December 29, 2018, enterprises shall establish and improve their system of work place safety and sanitation, strictly abide by state rules and standards on work place safety, and conduct employees training on labor safety and sanitation in the PRC. Labor safety and sanitation facilities shall comply with statutory standards. Enterprises and institutions shall provide employees with a safe workplace and sanitation conditions which are in compliance with relevant laws and regulations of labor protection.

 

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The Labor Contract Law of the PRC promulgated on June 29, 2007 and amended on December 28, 2012, and the Implementation Rules of the Labor Contract Law of the PRC promulgated on September 18, 2008 set out specific provisions in relation to the execution, the terms and the termination of a labor contract and the rights and obligations of the employees and employers, respectively. At the time of hiring, the employers shall truthfully inform the employees the scope of work, working conditions, working place, occupational hazards, work safety, salary and other matters which the employees request to be informed about.

 

Social Insurance and Housing Fund

 

Employers in the PRC are required to contribute, for and on behalf of their employees, to a number of social insurance funds, including funds for pension, unemployment insurance, medical insurance, work-related injury insurance, maternity insurance and housing fund. These payments are made to local administrative authorities and employers who fail to contribute may be fined and be ordered to make up for the outstanding contributions. The various laws and regulations that govern the employers’ obligations to contribute to the social insurance funds include the Social Insurance Law of the PRC, which was promulgated by the SCNPC on October 28, 2010 and amended on December 29, 2018, the Interim Regulations on the Collection and Payment of Social Insurance Premiums, which was promulgated by the State Council on January 22, 1999 and amended on March 24, 2019, the Regulations on Work-related Injury Insurance, which was promulgated by the State Council on April 27, 2003 and amended on December 20, 2010, and the Regulations on Management of the Housing Fund, which was promulgated and became effective on April 3, 1999 and was amended on March 24, 2002 and on March 24, 2019.

 

According to the Notice Concerning the Safe and Orderly Collection and Administration of Social Insurance Premiums issued by the General Office of the State Administration of Taxation on September 13, 2018, the tax authorities will collect all social insurance premiums uniformly from January 1, 2019. Before the completion of the reform of the social insurance collection agency, the relevant local authorities shall continuously optimize the payment service and ensure the continuous improvement of the business environment, and shall not organize and carry out the previous year’s arrears check without permission.

 

As of the date of this prospectus, we are not aware of any labor disputes or other conflicts with the employees of the PRC operating subsidiaries, and no actions or investigations are currently or have been brought up by any PRC governmental agency against any of the PRC operating subsidiaries regarding labor or employment matters.

 

Regulations Related to Tax

 

Enterprise income tax

 

The Law of the PRC on Enterprise Income Tax and The Regulations for the Implementation of the Law on Enterprise Income Tax (collectively, the “EIT Laws”) were promulgated on March 16, 2007 and December 6, 2007, respectively, and were most recently amended on December 29, 2018 and April 23, 2019, respectively. According to the EIT Laws, taxpayers consist of resident enterprises and non-resident enterprises. Resident enterprises are defined as enterprises that are established in the PRC in accordance with PRC laws, or that are established in accordance with the laws of foreign countries but whose actual or de facto control is administered from within the PRC. Non-resident enterprises are defined as enterprises that are set up in accordance with the laws of foreign countries and whose actual administration is conducted outside the PRC, but have established institutions or premises in the PRC, or have no such established institutions or premises but have income generated from inside the PRC. Under the EIT Laws and relevant implementing regulations, a uniform EIT rate of 25% is applicable. However, if non-resident enterprises have not formed permanent establishments or premises in the PRC, or if they have formed permanent establishment institutions or premises in the PRC but there is no actual relationship between the relevant income derived in the PRC and the established institutions or premises set up by them, the enterprise income tax is, in that case, set at the rate of 10% for their income sourced from inside the PRC.

 

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Notice Regarding the Determination of Chinese-Controlled Offshore Incorporated Enterprises as the PRC Tax Resident Enterprises on the Basis of De Facto Management Bodies (“Circular 82”), which was promulgated by SAT on April 22, 2009 and amended on January 29, 2014 and December 29, 2017, sets out the standards and procedures for determining whether the “de facto management body” of an enterprise registered outside of the PRC and controlled by PRC enterprises or PRC enterprise groups is located within the PRC.

 

According to Circular 82, a Chinese-controlled offshore incorporated enterprise will be regarded as a PRC tax resident by virtue of having a “de facto management body” in the PRC and will be subject to PRC EIT on its worldwide income only if all of the following criteria are met: (1) the primary location of the day-to-day operational management is in the PRC; (2) decisions relating to the enterprise’s financial and human resource matters are made or are subject to approval by organizations or personnel in the PRC; (3) the enterprise’s primary assets, accounting books and records, company seals, and board and shareholders meeting minutes are located or maintained in the PRC; and (4) 50% or more of voting board members or senior executives habitually reside in the PRC.

 

The State Administration of Taxation (SAT) Public Notice 7 was issued by SAT on February 3, 2015 and most recently amended pursuant to the Announcement on Issues Concerning the Withholding of Enterprise Income Tax at Source on Non-PRC Resident Enterprises, which was issued by SAT on October 17, 2017 and became effective on December 1, 2017. Pursuant to the SAT Public Notice 7, an “indirect transfer” of assets, including equity interests in a PRC resident enterprise, by non-PRC resident enterprises may be re-characterized and treated as a direct transfer of PRC taxable assets, if the arrangement does not have a reasonable commercial purpose and was established for the purpose of avoiding payment of PRC EIT. As a result, gains derived from an indirect transfer may be subject to PRC EIT. According to the SAT Public Notice 7, “PRC taxable assets” include assets attributed to an establishment or a place of business in the PRC, immovable properties in the PRC, and equity investments in PRC resident enterprises. In respect of an indirect offshore transfer of assets of a PRC establishment or place of business, the relevant gain is to be regarded as effectively connected with the PRC establishment or a place of business and therefore included in its EIT filing, and would consequently be subject to PRC EIT at a rate of 25%. Where the underlying transfer relates to the immovable properties in the PRC or to equity investments in a PRC resident enterprise, which is not effectively connected to a PRC establishment or a place of business of a non-resident enterprise, a PRC EIT rate at 10% would apply, subject to available preferential tax treatment under applicable tax treaties or similar arrangements, and the party who is obligated to make the transfer payments has the withholding obligation. There is uncertainty as to the implementation details of the SAT Public Notice 7.

 

Value-added tax

 

Pursuant to the Provisional Regulations of the PRC on Value-added Tax, which was promulgated by the State Council and was latest amended in 2017, and the Implementation Rules for the Provisional Regulations the PRC on Value-added Tax, which was promulgated by the Ministry of Finance and was latest amended in 2011, entities and individuals engaging in selling goods, providing processing, repairing or replacement services or importing goods within the territory of the PRC are taxpayers of the value-added tax.

 

According to the Notice of the Ministry of Finance and the State Taxation Administration on the Adjusting Value-added Tax Rates effective in May 2018, the value-added tax rates of 17% and 11% on sales, imported goods shall be adjusted to 16% and 10%, respectively.

 

According to the Announcement of the Ministry of Finance, the State Taxation Administration and the General Administration of Customs on Relevant Policies for Deepening the Value-Added Tax Reform promulgated in March 2019, the value-added tax rates of 16% and 10% on sales, imported goods shall be adjusted to 13% and 9%, respectively.

 

As of the date of this prospectus, we are not aware of any non-compliance with the regulations related to tax that may materially and adversely affect our business.

 

Regulation Related to M&A and Oversea Listing

 

The M&A Rules

 

The Regulations on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors (the “M&A Rules”) was promulgated by six PRC ministries including MOFCOM, the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council, the SAT, the SAMR, the CSRC, and the SAFE on August 8, 2006, became effective on September 8, 2006, and was amended and became effective on June 22, 2009. The M&A Rules stipulate that a foreign investor is required to obtain necessary approvals when it: (1) acquires the equity of a domestic enterprise so as to convert the domestic enterprise into a foreign- invested enterprise; (2) subscribes for the increased capital of a domestic enterprise so as to convert the domestic enterprise into a foreign-invested enterprise; (3) establishes a foreign-invested enterprise through which it purchases the assets of any domestic enterprise and operates these assets; or (4) purchases the assets of a domestic enterprise, and then invests such assets to establish a foreign-invested enterprise. The M&A Rules, among other things, further prescribed that a special purpose vehicle, formed for overseas listing purposes and controlled directly or indirectly by PRC companies or individuals, shall be approved by the MOFCOM prior to its establishment and obtain the approval of the CSRC prior to the listing and trading of such special purpose vehicle’s securities on an overseas stock exchange.

 

Pursuant to the Notice of the Foreign Investment Administration of the MOFCOM on Distributing the Manual of Guidance on Administration for Foreign Investment Access, which was issued and became effective on December 18, 2008 by the MOFCOM, notwithstanding the fact that (1) the domestic shareholder is connected with the foreign investor or not; or (2) the foreign investor is the existing shareholder or the new investor, the M&A Rules shall not apply to the transfer of an equity interest in an incorporated foreign-invested enterprise from the domestic shareholder to the foreign investor.

 

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The Oversea Listing Rules

 

The PRC government has recently indicated an intent to take actions to exert more oversight and control over offerings that are conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in China-based issuers. For example, on July 6, 2021, the relevant PRC government authorities made public the Opinions on Strictly Scrutinizing Illegal Securities Activities in Accordance with the Law, or the Opinions. These Opinions emphasized the need to strengthen the administration over illegal securities activities and the supervision of overseas listings by China-based companies and proposed to take effective measures, such as promoting the construction of relevant regulatory systems to deal with the risks and incidents faced by China-based overseas-listed companies.

 

On December 24, 2021, the CSRC issued the Provisions of the State Council on the Administration of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies (Draft for Comments) and the Administrative Measures for the Filing of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies (Draft for Comments), collectively the Draft Overseas Listing Regulations, for public comment until January 23, 2022.

 

Following issuance of the Draft Overseas Listing Regulations, on February 17, 2023, the CSRC issued the Notice on Filing Arrangements for Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies (the “CSRC Filing Notice”), stating that the CSRC has published the Trial Administrative Measures of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies (the “Trial Measures”) and five supporting guidelines (the “Listing Guidelines”), collectively the Trial Measures and Listing Guidelines or the Oversea Listing Rules. Among others, the Oversea Listing Rules provide that overseas offerings and listings by PRC domestic companies shall:

 

(i) require submission of relevant materials that contain a filing report and a legal opinion, providing truthful, accurate and complete information on matters including but not limited to the shareholders of the issuer. Where the filing documents are complete and in compliance with stipulated requirements, the CSRC shall, within 20 working days after receipt of filing documents, conclude the filing procedure and publish filing results on the CSRC website. Where filing documents are incomplete or do not conform to stipulated requirements, the CSRC shall request supplementation and amendment thereto within five working days after receipt of the filing documents. The issuer should then complete supplementation and amendment within 30 working days;

 

(ii) abide by laws, administrative regulations and relevant state rules concerning foreign investment in China, state-owned asset administration, industry regulation and outbound investment, and shall not disrupt the PRC domestic market order, harm state or public interests or undermine the lawful rights and interests of PRC domestic investors;

 

(iii) abide by national secrecy laws and relevant provisions. Necessary measures shall be taken to fulfill confidentiality obligations. Divulgence of state secrets or working secrets of government agencies is strictly prohibited. Provision of personal information and important data, etc., to overseas parties in relation to overseas offering and listing of PRC domestic companies shall be in compliance with applicable laws, administrative regulations and relevant state rules; and

 

(iv) be made in strict compliance with relevant laws, administrative regulations and rules concerning national security in the spheres of foreign investment, cybersecurity, data security, etc., and issuers shall duly fulfill their obligations to protect national security. If the intended overseas offering and listing necessitates a national security review, relevant security review procedures shall be completed according to the law before the application for such offering and listing is submitted to any overseas parties such as securities regulatory agencies and trading venues;

 

The Trial Measures came into effect on March 31, 2023. PRC domestic companies seeking to offer and list securities (which, for the purposes of the Trial Measures, are defined thereunder as equity shares, depository receipts, corporate bonds convertible to equity shares, and other equity securities that are offered and listed overseas, either directly or indirectly, by PRC domestic companies) in overseas markets, either via direct or indirect means, must file with the CSRC within three working days after their application for an overseas listing is submitted.

 

The Trial Measures provide that where a PRC domestic company seeks to indirectly offer and list securities in overseas markets, the issuer shall designate a major domestic operating entity, which shall, as the domestic entity responsible, file with the CSRC. The Trial Measures stipulate that an overseas listing will be determined as “indirect” if the issuer meets both of the following conditions: (1) 50% or more of any of the issuer’s operating revenue, total profit, total assets or net assets as documented in its audited consolidated financial statements for the most recent accounting year are accounted for by PRC domestic companies (“Condition I”), and (2) the main parts of the issuer’s business activities are conducted in the PRC, or its main places of business are located in the PRC, or the senior managers in charge of its business operations and management are mostly Chinese citizens or domiciled in the PRC (“Condition II”); whether Chinese citizens from Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau are included in the foregoing specification is not specified. The determination as to whether or not an overseas offering and listing by PRC domestic companies is indirect shall be made on a ‘substance over form’ basis; the Listing Guidelines further stipulate that if an issuer not satisfying Condition I submits an application for issuance and listing in overseas markets in accordance with relevant non-PRC issuance regulations requiring such issuer to disclose risk factors mainly related to the PRC, the securities firm(s) and the issuer’s PRC counsel should follow the principle of ‘substance over form’ in order to identify and argue whether the issuer should complete a filing under the Trial Measures.

 

Therefore, we are required to file with CSRC under the Trial Measures for this offering. We submitted the required filing materials to the CSRC on August 29, 2023, received comments from the CSRC on September 25, 2023 and submitted responses to such comments on October 28, 2023. Thus, our CSRC filing is still under the CSRC’s review, and we have not obtained the final confirmation from the CSRC regarding the completion of the filing process. We will not complete this offering until we have completed our filing with the CSRC.

 

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Regulations Related to Food Safety

 

The PRC laws and regulations governing food safety primarily consist of the Food Safety Law of the PRC, effective as of April 29, 2021 (the “Food Safety Law”); and the Regulations on the Implementation of the Food Safety Law, effective as of December 1, 2019 (the “Food Safety Regulations”). The Food Safety Law of the People’s Republic of China, promulgated by the Standing Committee of the NPC on February 28, 2009, and was further amended in April 24,2015, December 29,2018, as most recently amended and effective on April 29, 2021, governs activities with respect to food manufacturing and processing (hereinafter referred to as “food manufacturing”) and circulation of foods and food and beverage services (hereinafter referred to as “food business operations”), manufacturing and business operation of packaging materials, containers, detergents and disinfectants used for foodstuffs, and tools and equipment used in food manufacturing and food business operations (hereinafter referred to as the “food-related products”). The PRC sets up a system of supervision, monitoring and appraisal on the food safety risks, compulsory adoption of food safety standards. To engage in food production, sale or catering services, the business operators shall obtain a license in accordance with the laws and regulations. Violations of these law and measures may result in civil liabilities and administrative penalties, such as compensation for damages, fines, suspension or shutdown of business, as well as confiscation of tools, equipment, raw materials and other articles used in the illegal food production or trading, or even criminal penalties.

 

Special Rules of the State Council on Strengthening the Supervision and Management of the Safety of Food and Other Products were promulgated and came into force on July 26, 2007. The products as mentioned in these Rules shall include edible agricultural products, and other products related to the human health and life safety, in addition to food. A business operator shall be responsible for the safety of products sold by it, and shall not sell products that do not conform to the statutory requirements. A seller must establish and implement a product supply inspection and acceptance system, examine the business qualifications of suppliers, verify the certificates of qualified products and product labels, and establish a product supply account to truly record the names, specifications, quantities, suppliers and their contacts, time of supply of products. The product supply account and sale account shall be kept for at least two years. By the production lot of products, a seller shall ask for an inspection report issued by an inspection agency in conformity with the statutory conditions or a photocopy of an inspection report signed or sealed by the suppler from the supplier; and where such an inspection report or a photocopy of an inspection report cannot be provided, the products shall not be sold.

 

As we sell food products like alcohol and groceries under our Local Life – Retail Sales vertical, we are subject to regulations related to food safety. As of the date of this prospectus, we are not aware of any non-compliance with the regulations related to food safety that may materially and adversely affect our business.

 

Cayman Islands Data Protection Act

 

We have certain duties under the Data Protection Act (as revised) of the Cayman Islands (the “DPA”), based on internationally accepted principles of data privacy.

 

Privacy Notice

 

This privacy notice puts shareholders of LZ Technology on notice that through your investment into us you will provide us with certain personal information which constitutes personal data within the meaning of the DPA (“personal data”).

 

Investor Data

 

We will collect, use, disclose, retain and secure personal data to the extent reasonably required only and within the parameters that could be reasonably expected during the normal course of business. We will only process, disclose, transfer or retain personal data to the extent legitimately required to conduct our activities on an ongoing basis or to comply with legal and regulatory obligations to which we are subject. We will only transfer personal data in accordance with the requirements of the DPA, and will apply appropriate technical and organizational information security measures designed to protect against unauthorized or unlawful processing of the personal data and against the accidental loss, destruction or damage to the personal data.

 

In our use of this personal data, we will be characterized as a “data controller” for the purposes of the DPA, while our affiliates and service providers who may receive this personal data from us in the conduct of our activities may either act as our “data processors” for the purposes of the DPA or may process personal information for their own lawful purposes in connection with services provided to us.

 

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We may also obtain personal data from other public sources. Personal data includes, without limitation, the following information relating to a shareholder and/or any individuals connected with a shareholder as an investor: name, residential address, email address, contact details, corporate contact information, signature, nationality, place of birth, date of birth, tax identification, credit history, correspondence records, passport number, bank account details, source of funds details and details relating to the shareholder’s investment activity.

 

Who this Affects

 

If you are a natural person, this will affect you directly. If you are a corporate investor (including, for these purposes, legal arrangements such as trusts or exempted limited partnerships) that provides us with personal data on individuals connected to you for any reason in relation to your investment in us, this will be relevant for those individuals and you should transmit the content of this Privacy Notice to such individuals or otherwise advise them of its content.

 

How We May Use a Shareholder’s Personal Data

 

We may, as the data controller, collect, store and use personal data for lawful purposes, including, in particular: (i) where this is necessary for the performance of our rights and obligations under any agreements; (ii) where this is necessary for compliance with a legal and regulatory obligation to which we are or may be subject (such as compliance with anti-money laundering and FATCA/CRS requirements); and/or (iii) where this is necessary for the purposes of our legitimate interests and such interests are not overridden by your interests, fundamental rights or freedoms.

 

Should we wish to use personal data for other specific purposes (including, if applicable, any purpose that requires your consent), we will contact you.

 

Why We May Transfer Your Personal Data

 

In certain circumstances we may be legally obliged to share personal data and other information with respect to your shareholding with the relevant regulatory authorities such as the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority or the Tax Information Authority. They, in turn, may exchange this information with foreign authorities, including tax authorities.

 

We anticipate disclosing personal data to persons who provide services to us and their respective affiliates (which may include certain entities located outside the US, the Cayman Islands or the European Economic Area), who will process your personal data on our behalf.

 

The Data Protection Measures We Take

 

Any transfer of personal data by us or our duly authorized affiliates and/or delegates outside of the Cayman Islands shall be in accordance with the requirements of the DPA.

 

We and our duly authorized affiliates and/or delegates shall apply appropriate technical and organizational information security measures designed to protect against unauthorized or unlawful processing of personal data, and against accidental loss or destruction of, or damage to, personal data.

 

We shall notify you of any personal data breach that is reasonably likely to result in a risk to your interests, fundamental rights or freedoms or those data subjects to whom the relevant personal data relates.

 

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MANAGEMENT

 

Directors and Executive Officers

 

The following table sets forth certain information regarding our directors and executive officers.

 

NAME

  AGE   POSITION
Andong Zhang   61   Chairman of the Board of Directors
Runzhe Zhang   28   Chief Executive Officer and Director
Weihua Chen   45   Chief Financial Officer
Chung Chi Ng   42   Independent Director Nominee*
Qisheng You   66   Independent Director Nominee*
Li Zhang   47   Independent Director Nominee*

 

*Chung Chi Ng, Qisheng You and Li Zhang have accepted appointments as our independent directors, effective upon the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

 

Andong Zhang

 

Mr. Zhang is our founder and has served as the director of LZ Technology since November 23, 2022 and Chairman of Board of Directors since August 2023. He has been serving as Chairman of Lianzhang Portal since 2014. His other experiences include serving as a member of the Intelligent Building Expert Group of the Ministry of Construction from December 2003 to December 2005, a doctoral supervisor in the field of automation at Southeast University from March 2003 to present, the Vice Chairman of the Internet E-Commerce Special Committee of the China Chamber of Commerce from November 2019 to present, and the President of Xiamen National Equities Exchange and Quotations Enterprise Association from February 2017 to February 2022. Mr. Zhang has founded and served as Chairmen of both Xiamen Qiushi Intelligent Network Equipment Co., Ltd. from 1991 and Fujian Qiushi Intelligent Co., Ltd. from 2002, respectively. Mr. Zhang earned his bachelor’s degree in Automatic Control from Southeast University in 1983. We believe that Mr. Zhang is qualified to serve on our board of directors due to his long executive and board experience with us, his vision and wealth of industry expertise.

 

Runzhe Zhang

 

Mr. Runzhe Zhang has served as Chief Executive Officer of LZ Technology since August 2023, a director of LZ Technology since December 2023, and Chief Executive Officer of Lianzhang Portal since 2019. Mr. Runzhe Zhang obtained his bachelor’s degree in Business Economics from the University of California, Irvine in June 2017. We believe that Mr. Zhang is qualified to serve on our board of directors due to his leadership experience at our primary operating subsidiary, Lianzhang Portal, his global perspective and his solid knowledge of our business.

 

Weihua Chen

 

Ms. Chen has been serving as Chief Financial Officer of LZ Technology since August 2023 and Chief Financial Officer of Lianzhang Portal since October 2014. From July 2007 to May 2013, she held the position of Financial Manager at Xiamen Yongjia Plastic Co., Ltd., where she supervised the internal accounting, financial analysis, tax planning and day-to-day operation. She has over 20 years of experience in financial accounting and has participated in comprehensive budget management, capital operations, investment and financing operations, and overseas listing processes through relevant industry organizations. Ms. Chen obtained her associate degree in Accounting Information Technology from Minxi University in 2000.

 

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Chung Chi Ng

 

Ms. Ng has served as an accounting and financial reporting consultant for U.S. listed companies that are based in or have substantial operations in Asia Pacific since August 2022. Ms. Ng has more than 20 years of accounting and auditing experience. From May 2021 to August 2022, she was the Chief Financial Officer of Guardforce AI Co., Ltd., a Nasdaq-listed global security solutions provider (Nasdaq: GFAI). From February 2018 to June 2019, she was the Chief Financial Officer of the same issuer while it was traded on the U.S. OTC markets. Between March 2019 and May 2020, Ms. Ng served as the audit committee chair of Addentax Group Corp. before it became listed on Nasdaq. In 2017, she acted as the Asian services leader in the audit business unit of Crowe Horwath LLP in Denver, Colorado. From January 2013 to December 2016, Ms. Ng acted as the Audit Senior Manager of GHP Horwath P.C. also in Denver, Colorado. Ms. Ng specializes in SEC, PCAOB, IFRS, US GAAP and SOX 404/COSO compliance and reporting. Ms. Ng is a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants. We believe that Ms. Ng is qualified to serve on our board of directors due to her financial acumen, a deep understanding of corporate governance and compliance issues for public companies, and her extensive capital markets experience.

 

Qisheng You

 

Mr. You brings a wealth of industry experience and insight. Before retirement in 2022, Mr. You served as the general manager of CDN HOMETCH DIGITAL LTD, a private tech company in China, from 2013 to 2022. From 1999 to 2013, Mr. You acted as the chairman of the board of directors of Beijing Yihao Weiye Weak Point System Engineering Technology Co., Ltd., an engineering service provider in China. From 1997 to 1999, he was the chairman of the board of directors of Beijing Qiushi Technology Development Co., Ltd. From 1986 to 1997, Mr. You served as a senior engineer at the computer center of China National Industry Bureau of Building Materials. From 1983 to 1986, Mr. You worked at the testing center of China Academy of Building Materials as an engineer. Mr. You received a bachelor’s degree in automatic control from Southeast University in 1983. We believe that Mr. You is qualified to serve on our board of directors due to his deep understanding of technology and digital transformation, as well as his engineering expertise, which will be valuable assets to our board.

 

Li Zhang

 

Ms. Zhang is an entrepreneur, angel investor and an experienced real estate educator, investor and developer. Ms. Zhang has founded and operated three companies: ClubOneMedia Inc (2010-2019), Ourrea Holdings Inc (2019-present) and NT Capital Inc (2021-present). Ourrea Holdings Inc (ourrea.com, formerly known as Beimeidichan Academy Inc) is a real estate investment education-tech company that operates one of the largest real estate education platforms for the Chinese community in North America. NT Capital Inc is a holding company owning four subsidiaries: TopSky Home Inc, Jusha Capital Inc, Sunvalley Capital Group Inc, and House Ownership Solution LLC. TopSky Home Inc is a property tech company that utilizes big data to select and transact residential properties for investors. Jusha Capital Inc is a commercial real estate investment and advisory company. Sunvalley Capital Group Inc focuses on land acquisition, using AI to identify and acquire foreclosure lands. House Ownership Solution LLC is a rent-to-own company, employing the seller finance business model for residential properties. Ms. Zhang also has extensive experience investing in and advising startup companies. Previously, she founded ClubOneMedia Inc to invest in and advise startups in industries including fintech, e-commerce, blockchain, AI technology and advertising. Ms. Zhang received a Master of Law from Tsinghua University in 2007. We believe that Ms. Zhang is qualified to serve on our board of directors due to her global perspective, deep understanding of market trends and her ability to build strong relationships with stakeholders, which will be invaluable in steering our strategic direction.

 

Except for the fact that Mr. Andong Zhang is the father of Mr. Runzhe Zhang, no family relationship exists between any of our directors and executive officers. There are no arrangements or understandings with major shareholders, customers, suppliers or others pursuant to which any person referred to above was selected as a director or member of senior management.

 

Board of Directors

 

The Nasdaq Marketplace Rules generally require that a majority of an issuer’s board of directors must consist of independent directors. We currently have two employee directors, Mr. Andong Zhang and Mr. Runzhe Zhang. Prior to completion of this offering, we will have three independent directors so that a majority of the board of directors of LZ Technology will be independent.

 

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A director is not required to hold any shares in LZ Technology to qualify to serve as a director of LZ Technology. The board of directors of LZ Technology may exercise all the powers of LZ Technology to raise or borrow money, and to mortgage or charge its undertaking, property and assets (present and future) and uncalled capital or any part thereof, to issue debentures, debenture stock, bonds or other securities, whether outright or as collateral security for any debt, liability or obligation of the company or of any third-party.

 

A director of LZ Technology who is in any way, whether directly or indirectly, interested in a contract or arrangement or proposed contract or arrangement with LZ Technology is required to declare the nature of his interest to the board of directors of LZ Technology. Following a declaration being made, subject to any separate requirement for any audit committee approval under applicable law or the listing rules of Nasdaq Capital Market, and unless disqualified by the chairman of the relevant board meeting, a director may vote in respect of any contract, proposed contract, or arrangement notwithstanding that he may be interested therein, and if he does so his vote shall be counted and he may be counted in the quorum at any meeting of our directors at which any such contract or proposed contract or arrangement is considered.

 

Board Committees

 

Prior to the completion of this offering, LZ Technology intends to establish an audit committee, a compensation committee, and a nominating and corporate governance committee of the board of directors of LZ Technology. LZ Technology intends to adopt a charter for each of the three committees prior to the completion of this offering. Each committee’s members and functions are described below.

 

Audit Committee

 

The audit committee of LZ Technology will consist of three directors, namely, Chung Chi Ng, Qisheng You and Li Zhang, each of whom satisfies the “independence” requirements of Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act and Section 5605 of the Nasdaq Marketplace Rules. Chung Chi Ng will be the chairperson of our audit committee. The board of directors of LZ Technology has also determined that Chung Chi Ng qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert.” The audit committee will oversee our accounting and financial reporting processes and the audits of the financial statements of our company. The audit committee will be responsible for, among other things:

 

appointing the independent auditors and pre-approving all auditing and non-auditing services permitted to be performed by the independent auditors;

 

reviewing with the independent auditors any audit problems or difficulties and management’s response;

 

discussing the annual audited financial statements with management and the independent auditors;

 

reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of our accounting and internal control policies and procedures and any steps taken to monitor and control major financial risk exposures;

 

reviewing and approving all proposed related party transactions;

 

meeting separately and periodically with management and the independent auditors; and

 

monitoring compliance with our code of business conduct and ethics, including reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of our procedures to ensure proper compliance.

 

Compensation Committee

 

The compensation committee of LZ Technology will consist of three directors, namely, Chung Chi Ng, Qisheng You and Li Zhang, each of whom satisfies the “independence” requirements of Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act and Section 5605 of the Nasdaq Marketplace Rules. Qisheng You will be the chairperson of our compensation committee. The compensation committee will assist the board of directors of LZ Technology in reviewing and approving the compensation structure, including all forms of compensation, relating to our directors and executive officers. The chief executive officer of LZ Technology may not be present at any committee meeting during which his compensation is deliberated. The compensation committee will be responsible for, among other things:

 

reviewing and approving, or recommending to the board for its approval, the compensation for our chief executive officer and other executive officers;

 

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reviewing and recommending to the board for determination with respect to the compensation of our non-employee directors;

 

reviewing periodically and approving any incentive compensation or equity plans, programs or similar arrangements; and

 

selecting compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser only after taking into consideration all factors relevant to that person’s independence from management.

 

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

 

The nominating and corporate governance committee of LZ Technology will consist of three directors, namely, Chung Chi Ng, Qisheng You and Li Zhang, each of whom satisfies the “independence” requirements of Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act and Section 5605 of the Nasdaq Marketplace Rules. Li Zhang will be the chairperson of our nominating and corporate governance committee. The nominating and corporate governance committee will assist the board of directors of LZ Technology in selecting individuals qualified to become our directors and in determining the composition of the board and its committees. The nominating and corporate governance committee will be responsible for, among other things:

 

selecting and recommending to the board nominees for election by the shareholders or appointment by the board;

 

reviewing annually with the board the current composition of the board with regards to characteristics such as independence, knowledge, skills, experience and diversity;

 

making recommendations on the frequency and structure of board meetings and monitoring the functioning of the committees of the board; and

 

advising the board periodically with regards to significant developments in the law and practice of corporate governance as well as our compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and making recommendations to the board on all matters of corporate governance and on any remedial action to be taken.

 

Duties of Directors

 

Under Cayman Islands law, the directors of LZ Technology owe fiduciary duties to LZ Technology, including a duty of loyalty, a duty to act honestly, and a duty to act in what they consider in good faith to be in the best interests of LZ Technology. The directors of LZ Technology must also exercise their powers only for a proper purpose. The directors of LZ Technology also owe to LZ Technology a duty to act with skill and care. It was previously considered that a director need not exhibit in the performance of his duties a greater degree of skill than may reasonably be expected from a person of his knowledge and experience. However, English and Commonwealth courts have moved towards an objective standard with regard to the required skill and care and these authorities are likely to be followed in the Cayman Islands. In fulfilling their duty of care to LZ Technology, its directors must ensure compliance with the memorandum and articles of association of LZ Technology, as amended and restated from time to time. LZ Technology has the right to seek damages if a duty owed by its directors is breached. In limited exceptional circumstances, a shareholder may have the right to seek damages in the name of LZ Technology if a duty owed by the directors of LZ Technology is breached. You should refer to “Description of Share Capital—Differences in Corporate Law” for additional information on our standard of corporate governance under Cayman Islands law.

 

The functions and powers of the board of directors of LZ Technology include, among others:

 

convening shareholders’ annual general meetings and reporting its work to shareholders at such meetings;

 

declaring dividends and distributions;

 

appointing officers and determining the term of office of officers;

 

exercising the borrowing powers of our company and mortgaging the property of our company; and

 

approving the transfer of shares of LZ Technology, including the registering of such shares in the share register of LZ Technology.

 

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Terms of Directors and Officers

 

Directors of LZ Technology may be appointed by an ordinary resolution of its shareholders. In addition, the board of directors of LZ Technology may, by the affirmative vote of a simple majority of the directors present and voting at a board meeting appoint any person as a director either to fill a casual vacancy on its board or as an addition to the existing board. Officers of LZ Technology are elected by and serve at the discretion of the board of directors of LZ Technology. The directors of LZ Technology are not subject to a term of office and will hold office until such time as they resign or otherwise removed from office by ordinary resolution of the shareholders. A director will cease to be a director automatically if, among other thing, the director (i) becomes bankrupt or has a receiving order made against him or suspends payment or compounds with his creditors; (ii) is found to be or becomes of unsound mind or dies; (iii) resigns his office by notice in writing to the company; (iv) without special leave of absence from the board of directors, is absent from three consecutive meetings of the board and the board resolves that his office be vacated; (v) is prohibited by law from being a director or; (vi) is removed from office pursuant to the laws of the Cayman Islands or any other provisions of the post offering memorandum and articles of association

 

Employment and Indemnification Agreements

 

Lianzhang Portal, our PRC operating subsidiary, has entered into labor contracts with our executive officers under PRC laws. Each of our executive officers is employed for a specified time period, which may be renewed by the mutual agreement between us and the executive officer. The employment may be terminated in accordance with relevant laws and regulations. An executive officer may terminate his or her employment at any time with prior written notice. When the employment is terminated, the executive officer should return any company property that he or she is using and transition any work in progress to the person designated by us. Each executive officer has agreed to hold in strict confidence and not to use or disclose to any person, corporation or other entity any confidential information, including but not limited to our business secrets and intellectual property.

 

We expect to enter into indemnification agreements with our directors and executive officers, pursuant to which we will agree to indemnify our directors and executive officers against certain liabilities and expenses incurred by such persons in connection with claims made by reason of their being such a director or officer.

 

Compensation of Directors and Officers

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, the aggregate cash compensation and benefits that we paid to our executive officers was approximately RMB760,800 ($104,919), and we did not pay any compensation separately to our employee directors for their services as directors of the Company and its subsidiaries. None of our directors or executive officers received any equity awards, including, options, restricted shares or other equity incentives in the year ended December 31, 2022. Our PRC subsidiaries are required by law to make contributions equal to certain percentages of each employee’s salary for his or her pension insurance, medical insurance, unemployment insurance and other statutory benefits and a housing provident fund.

 

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

 

Our board of directors has adopted a code of ethics and business conduct, which has been filed as an exhibit to this registration statement and applicable to all of our directors, officers and employees. We will make our code of business conduct and ethics publicly available on our website prior to the closing of this public offering.

 

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PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS

 

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our ordinary shares as of the date of this prospectus for (i) each of our executive officers and directors; (ii) all of our executive officers and directors as a group; and (iii) each other shareholder known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our outstanding ordinary shares (Class A Ordinary Shares or Class B Ordinary Shares). The following table assumes that the underwriters have not exercised the over-allotment option.

 

Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each beneficial owner listed in the table below is c/o LZ Technology Holdings Limited, Unit 311, Floor 3, No. 5999 Wuxing Avenue, Zhili Town, Wuxing District, Huzhou City, Zhejiang province, People’s Republic of China 313000.

 

   Beneficial Ownership(1)   Percent of   Percent of   Percent of
Total
Voting
   Percent of
Total
Voting
 
   Class A
Ordinary
Shares
   Class B
Ordinary
Shares
   Class A
Ordinary
Shares(2)
   Class B
Ordinary
Shares(3)
   Shares
Prior to
Offering(4)
   Shares
After
Offering(4)(5)
 
Directors and Executive Officers:                        
Andong Zhang, Chairman(6)(8)   9,589,248    26,807,883    100%   49.39%   81.70%               
Runzhe Zhang, Chief Executive Officer and Director   -    -    *         *      
Weihua Chen, Chief Financial Officer(9)   -    16,942,491    *    31.21%   11.28%     
Chung Chi Ng, Director Nominee   -    -    *    *    *      
Qisheng You, Director Nominee   -    -    *    *    *      
Li Zhang, Director Nominee   -    -    *    *    *      
All directors and executive officers as a group   9,589,248    43,750,374    100%   80.60%   92.99%     
Other Principal Shareholders:                              
LZ Digital Technology Holdings Co., Ltd
联掌数字科技控股有限公司
(6)
   9,589,248    11,807,883    100%   21.76%   71.72%     
BJ Tojoy Shared Enterprise Consulting Ltd(7)   -    6,239,909    *    11.50%   4.16%     
Vanshion Investment Group Limited
万盛投资集团有限公司(8)
   -    15,000,000    *    27.63%   9.99%     
Youder Investment Group Limited
友达投资集团有限公司(9)
   -    16,942,491    *    31.21%   11.28%     
Kim Full Investment Company Limited(10)   -    3,032,846    *    5.59%   2.02%     

 

*Less than 1%.

 

(1)

Beneficial Ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and generally includes voting or investment power with respect to securities. Except as noted below, each of the beneficial owners listed above has direct ownership of and sole voting power and investment power with respect to the ordinary shares. For each beneficial owner above, any options exercisable within 60 days have been included in the denominator.
   
(2) Based on 9,589,248 Class A Ordinary Shares issued and outstanding as of the date of this prospectus. Holders of Class A Ordinary Shares are entitled to ten (10) votes per share. Pursuant to the Company’s current memorandum and articles of association, Class A Ordinary Shares are not convertible into Class B Ordinary Shares at any time. The post offering memorandum and articles of association that will become effective and replace the current memorandum and articles of association upon the effectiveness of this registration statement, will make Class A Ordinary Shares convertible at the option of the holder into Class B Ordinary Shares on a 1:1 basis.

 

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(3) Based on 54,282,402 Class B Ordinary Shares issued and outstanding as of the date of this prospectus. Holders of Class B Ordinary Shares are entitled to one (1) vote per share.
   
(4) Percentage of Total Voting Shares represents total ownership with respect to all Class A Ordinary Shares and Class B Ordinary Shares, which vote together as a single class on all matters.
   
(5) Based on [   ] Class B Ordinary Shares outstanding upon completion of this offering, assuming the underwriters do not exercise its over-allotment and 9,589,248 Class A Ordinary Shares issued and outstanding.
   
(6) Andong Zhang is the director of LZ Digital Technology Holdings Co., Ltd, or LZ Holdings, and has voting and dispositive power over the securities held by it. Mr. Zhang disclaims beneficial ownership of such securities except to the extent of his pecuniary interests in such securities, if any.
   
(7) Lyugui Lu is the director of BJ Tojoy Shared Enterprise Consulting Ltd and has voting and dispositive power over the securities held by it. Mr. Lu disclaims beneficial ownership of such securities except to the extent of his pecuniary interests in such securities, if any.
   
(8)

Andong Zhang is the director of Vanshion Investment Group Limited and has voting and dispositive power over the securities held by it. Mr. Zhang disclaims beneficial ownership of such securities except to the extent of his pecuniary interests in such securities, if any. Vanshion Investment Group Limited is 66.7% owned by Xiamen Dongling Weiye Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership). Dongling Partnership is managed by its executive partner, Dongling Technology which holds approximately 26.55% of Dongling Partnership. Additionally, Vanshion Investment Group Limited is 33.3% owned by Wuxi Zhanghui Anying Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership), which, in turn, is 59.75% owned by Dongling Technology. Mr. Andong Zhang and Ms. Hongling Zhang, together hold 100% equity interests of Dongling Technology. See also “Corporate History and Structure—Subsidiaries—Lianzhang Portal’s Minority Shareholders.”

   
(9) Weihua Chen is the director of Youder Investment Group Limited and has voting and dispositive power over the securities held by it. Mr. Chen disclaims beneficial ownership of such securities except to the extent of his pecuniary interests in such securities, if any.
   
(10) Feng Ding is the director of Kim Full Investment Company Limited and has voting and dispositive power over the securities held by it. Mr. Ding disclaims beneficial ownership of such securities except to the extent of his pecuniary interests in such securities, if any.

 

As of the date of this prospectus, to our knowledge, none of our outstanding Ordinary Shares are held in the United States. Except for the Class A Ordinary Shares held by LZ Holdings, none of our major shareholders have different voting rights from other shareholders. We are not aware of any arrangement that may, at a subsequent date, result in a change of control of our company.

 

Changes in Major Shareholders’ Percentage Ownership

 

LZ Holdings was the sole shareholder of LZ Technology from November 23, 2022, the date on which LZ Technology was incorporated, until June 23, 2023.

 

On June 23, 2023, a series of reorganization transactions were undertaken. As a result of these transactions, as of June 23, 2023, holders who held more than 5% of each class of LZ Technology’s outstanding shares comprised (i) LZ Holdings, (ii) BJ Tojoy Shared Enterprise Consulting Ltd, (iii) Vanshion Investment Group Limited, (iv) Youder Investment Group Limited, and (v) Kim Full Investment Company Limited, as listed in the table above. These principal shareholders’ percentage ownership in LZ Technology, as presented in the table above, represents such information as of both June 23, 2023, and the date of this prospectus. For more information on the reorganization transactions that occurred on June 23, 2023, see “Corporate History and Structure—Restructuring.”

 

From June 23, 2023 to the date of this prospectus, there have been no changes to the percentage ownership held by any shareholders.

 

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RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

  

Nature of Relationships with Related Parties

 

No.  Names of related parties  Relationship
1  Xiamen Yinshan Longchang Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership)  Former shareholder of Lianzhang Portal
2  Cheng’s Investment Group Co., LTD. (Hainan)  Former shareholder of Lianzhang Portal
3  Tianjiu Shared Intelligent Enterprise Service  Former shareholder of Liangzhang Portal
4  Andong Zhang  Chairman of LZ Technology
5  Qiang Sun  Director of Lianzhang Portal
6  Runzhe Zhang  Chief Executive Officer and Director of LZ Technology
7  Shenzhen Zhixing Finance Culture Media Co.  Qiang Sun is a mutual director of Lianzhang Portal and Shenzhen Zhixing Finance Culture Media Co.
8  Xiamen Qiushi Intelligent Network Equipment Co., LTD  80% owned by Andong Zhang
9  Fujian Qiushi Intelligent Co., LTD  61% owned by Andong Zhang
10  Xiamen Qiushi Intelligent Network Technology Co., LTD  61% owned by Andong Zhang
11  Hongwei Zhang  Brother in law of Andong Zhang
12  Xiamen Rongguang Information Technology Co., Ltd.  95% owned by Hongwei Zhang
13  Fujian Henduoka Network Technology Co., Ltd., or Henduoka  95.5% owned by Hongwei Zhang
14  Xiamen Xueyoubang Network Technology Co.  5% held by Hongwei Zhang
15  Jun Liu  Director of Xiamen Infinity
16  Hongling Zhang  Spouse of Andong Zhang
17  Xiamen Yiju Tianxia Investment Partnership  Former shareholder of Lianzhang Portal
18  Jinfu No.1 (Huzhou) Equity Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership)  Former shareholder of Lianzhang Portal

 

Material Transactions with Related Parties

 

The Company entered into the following transactions with related parties for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2023.

 

   For the six months ended
June 30,
 
   2022   2023 
   RMB   RMB 
   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited) 
Collection of loan to related parties        
Xiamen Qiushi Intelligent Network Equipment Co., LTD   (16,267)   (2,784)
Xiamen Yinshan Longchang Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership)   (3,900)   (3)
Jun Liu   (4,178)   - 
Fujian Henduoka Network Technology Co., Ltd., or Henduoka   -    (4,905)
Total   (24,345)   (7,692)
           
Loan from related parties          
Fujian Qiushi Intelligent Co., LTD   -    (30,320)
Xiamen Qiushi Intelligent Network Equipment Co., LTD   (33)   (2,690)
Xiamen Qiushi Intelligent Network Technology Co., LTD   -    (66)
Xiamen Qiushi intelligence software Co., LTD   -    (500)
Total   (33)   (33,576)
           
Repayment of loan from related parties          
Fujian Qiushi Intelligent Co., LTD   26,239    22,370 
Xiamen Qiushi Intelligent Network Equipment Co., LTD   1,543    424 
Xiamen Qiushi Intelligent Network Technology Co., LTD   42    189 
Xiamen Yinshan Longchang Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership)   4,900    - 
Jun Liu   156    26 
Total   32,880    23,009 
           
Loan to related parties          
Xiamen Qiushi Intelligent Network Equipment Co., LTD   -    3,545 
Xiamen Qiushi Intelligent Network Technology Co., LTD   500    - 
Jun Liu   499    - 
Fujian Henduoka Network Technology Co., Ltd., or Henduoka   -    3,486 
Total   999    7,031 

 

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   For the six months ended
June 30,
 
   2022   2023 
   RMB   RMB 
   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited) 
Service and commodity purchase from related parties        
Equipment procurement        
Xiamen Qiushi Intelligent Network Equipment Co., LTD   (459)   (515)
    (459)   (515)
Sub-contract cost          
Xiamen Xueyoubang Network Technology Co.   (8,051)   (24,078)
    (8,051)   (24,078)
Rent, utilities and cleaning fees          
Xiamen Qiushi Intelligent Network Technology Co., LTD   (138)   (419)
    (138)   (419)
Total   (8,648)   (25,012)

 

   For the six months ended
June 30,
 
   2022   2023 
   RMB   RMB 
   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited) 
Transfer of Long term investment        
Xiamen Yinshan Longchang Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership)   995    731 
Total   995    731 

 

   For the six months ended
June 30,
 
   2022   2023 
   RMB   RMB 
   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited) 
Share Transfer        
Xiamen Yiju Tianxia Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership)        -    43,200 
Jinfu No.1 (Huzhou) Equity Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership)   -    9,000 
Total   -    52,200 

 

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The Company entered into the following transactions with related parties for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2020, 2021 and 2022.

 

   For the years ended December 31, 
   2020 (Unaudited)  

2021
(Audited)

  

2022
(Audited)

 
   (In thousands) 
   RMB   RMB   RMB 
Collection of loan to related parties            
Xiamen Qiushi Intelligent Network Technology Co., LTD   -    (31,326)   (20,647)
Fujian Qiushi Intelligent Co., LTD   -    (24,084)   - 
Xiamen Qiushi Intelligent Network Equipment Co., LTD   -    (5,010)   (215)
Xiamen Yinshan Longchang Investment Partnership (limited partnership)   -    -    (3,980)
Liu Jun   -    (1,401)   (324)
Fujian Henduoka Network Technology Co., Ltd.   -    -    (660)
Total   -    (61,821)   (25,826)
                
Loan from related parties               
Fujian Qiushi Intelligent Co., LTD   (20,151)   (10,000)   (8,229)
Xiamen Qiushi Intelligent Network Technology Co., LTD   (353)   (27,039)   (5,682)
Xiamen Qiushi Intelligent Network Equipment Co., LTD   (20,897)   (1,700)   (4,937)
Xiamen Yinshan Longchang Investment Partnership (limited partnership)   -    (4,900)   - 
Liu Jun   (225)   (3,850)   (26)
Total   (41,626)   (47,489)   (18,874)
                
Repayment of loan to related parties               
Fujian Qiushi Intelligent Co., LTD   -    9,728    31,858 
Xiamen Qiushi Intelligent Network Technology Co., LTD   740    2,777    7,140 
Xiamen Qiushi Intelligent Network Equipment Co., LTD   22,286    -    5,676 
Xiamen Yinshan Longchang Investment Partnership (limited partnership)   -    -    4,900 
Liu Jun   -    2,625    1,217 
Total   23,026    15,130    50,791 
                
Loan to related parties               
Xiamen Qiushi Intelligent Network Technology Co., LTD   -    54,667    483 
Fujian Qiushi Intelligent Co., LTD   -    24,084    - 
Xiamen Qiushi Intelligent Network Equipment Co., LTD   -    4,780    - 
Xiamen Yinshan Longchang Investment Partnership (limited partnership)   -    -    3,983 
Liu Jun   -    5,180    403 
Fujian Henduoka Network Technology Co., Ltd.   -    -    821 
Total   -    88,711    5,690 

 

   For the years ended December 31, 
  

2020

(Unaudited)

  

2021

(Audited)

  

2022

(Audited)

 
   (In thousands) 
   RMB   RMB   RMB 
Service and commodity purchase from related parties            
Equipment procurement            
Fujian Qiushi Intelligent Co., LTD   (18,550)   (27,809)   (894)
Xiamen Qiushi Intelligent Network Technology Co., LTD   (571)   (1,009)   (120)
    (19,121)   (28,818)   (1,014)
Sub-contract cost               
Xiamen Xueyoubang Network Technology Co.   -    -    (43,240)
    -    -    (43,240)
Service fee paid to a related party               
Tianjiu Shared Intelligent Enterprise Service Co., LTD   (407)   (31,211)   (70)
    (407)   (31,211)   (70)
Rent, utilities and cleaning fees               
Xiamen Qiushi Intelligent Network Equipment Co., LTD   -    (584)   (523)
    -    (584)   (523)
Total   (19,528)   (60,613)   (44,847)

 

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   For the years ended December 31, 
  

2020

(Unaudited)

  

2021

(Audited)

  

2022

(Audited)

 
   (In thousands) 
   RMB   RMB   RMB 
Transfer of Long term investment            
Xiamen Yinshan Longchang Investment Partnership (limited partnership)          -          -    1,726 
Total   -    -    1,726 

 

   For the years ended December 31, 
  

2020

(Unaudited)

  

2021

(Audited)

  

2022

(Audited)

 
   (In thousands) 
   RMB   RMB   RMB 
Share Transfer            
Xiamen Rongguang Information Technology Co., Ltd.            -            -    150 
Zhang Hongwei   -    -    8 
Total   -    -    158 

 

   For the years ended December 31, 
  

2020

(Unaudited)

  

2021

(Audited)

  

2022

(Audited)

 
   (In thousands) 
   RMB   RMB   RMB 
Disposal gain            
Income from disposal of Fujian Henduoka Network Technology Co., Ltd.         -           -    4,318 
Total   -    -    4,318 

 

Guarantees

 

On August 3, 2022, Mr. Andong Zhang, Ms. Hongling Zhang, and Xiamen Lianzhanghui Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd. (collectively, the “Guarantors”) entered into a Maximum Amount Guarantee Contract, pursuant to which the Guarantors provided joint guarantees for indebtedness arising out of a credit facility agreement (the “Credit Facility Agreement”) entered into between Fujian Qiushi Intelligent Co., Ltd. (“Fujian Qiushi Intelligent”), as debtor, and Xiamen Bank, as creditor, during the period from July 25, 2022 to July 25, 2025. The maximum aggregate principal amount that can be drawn under the Credit Facility Agreement is RMB5 million. The Maximum Amount Guarantee Contract provides that the maximum amount guaranteed by the Guarantors in connection with the Credit Facility Agreement is RMB7.5 million, which includes, without limitation, principal, interest, damages and costs and expenses for enforcing creditor rights. As of December 31, 2022, Fujian Qiushi Intelligent had borrowed RMB5 million in principal from Xiamen Bank, with a maturity date of August 15, 2023. On August 15, 2023, Fujian Qiushi Intelligent repaid the RMB5 million to Xiamen Bank and borrowed another RMB5 million under the Credit Facility Agreement.

 

Employment and Indemnification Agreements

 

See “Management—Employment and Indemnification Agreements.”

 

Compensation of Directors and Officers

 

See “Management—Compensation of Directors and Officers.”

 

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DESCRIPTION OF SHARE CAPITAL

 

LZ Technology is a Cayman Islands exempted company with limited liability and its affairs are governed by its memorandum and articles of association, as amended from time to time, and the Companies Act (As Revised) of the Cayman Islands, which is referred to as the Companies Act below, and the common law of the Cayman Islands.

 

As of the date of this prospectus, LZ Technology’s authorized share capital is $50,000 divided into 500,000,000 shares with a par value of $0.0001 each comprising (a) 20,000,000 Class A Ordinary Shares with a par value of $0.0001, (b) 480,000,000 Class B Ordinary Shares with a par value of $0.0001. The Class A Ordinary Shares and the Class B Ordinary Shares are collectively referred to as the Ordinary Shares below.

 

LZ Technology’s post offering memorandum and articles of association will change the authorized share capital to comprise: (a) 20,000,000 Class A Ordinary Shares with a par value of $0.0001, (b) 470,000,000 Class B Ordinary Shares with a par value of $0.0001, and (c) 10,000,000 shares with a par value of $0.0001 of such class or classes (however designated) as the Board may determine.

 

As of the date of this prospectus, there are 9,589,248 Class A Ordinary Shares and 54,282,402 Class B Ordinary Shares issued and outstanding.

 

Upon the closing of this offering, LZ Technology will have 9,589,248 Class A Ordinary Shares and [ ] Class B Ordinary Shares issued and outstanding, or 9,589,248 Class A Ordinary Shares and [ ] Class B Ordinary Shares issued and outstanding if the underwriter exercises the over-allotment option in full.

 

LZ Technology’s Post Offering Memorandum and Articles of Association

 

LZ Technology will adopt an amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, which will become effective and replace its current memorandum and articles of association in its entirety upon the effectiveness of this registration statement. The following are summaries of certain material provisions of the post offering memorandum and articles of association and of the Companies Act, insofar as they relate to the material terms of the Ordinary Shares.

 

Objects of LZ Technology. Under the post offering memorandum and articles of association, the objects of LZ Technology are unrestricted, and LZ Technology is capable of exercising all the functions of a natural person of full capacity irrespective of any question of corporate benefit, as provided by section 27(2) of the Companies Act.

 

Ordinary Shares. Holders of the Class A Ordinary Shares and Class B Ordinary Shares will have the same rights except for voting and conversion rights. The Ordinary Shares are issued in registered form and are issued when registered in LZ Technology’s register of members. LZ Technology may not issue shares to bearer. Shareholders who are non-residents of the Cayman Islands may freely hold and vote their shares.

 

Conversion. Each Class A Ordinary Share is convertible into one Class B Ordinary Share at any time at the option of the holder thereof. Class B Ordinary Shares are not convertible into Class A Ordinary Shares under any circumstances. Upon any transfer of Class A Ordinary Shares by a holder to any person or entity which is not an affiliate of such holder, such Class A Ordinary Shares shall be automatically and immediately converted into the equivalent number of Class B Ordinary Shares.

 

Dividends. The holders of the Ordinary Shares are entitled to such dividends as may be declared by the board of directors of LZ Technology. The post offering memorandum and articles of association provide that dividends may be declared and paid out of the funds of LZ Technology lawfully available therefor. Under the laws of the Cayman Islands, LZ Technology may pay a dividend out of either profit or share premium account; provided that in no circumstances may a dividend be paid if this would result in LZ Technology being unable to pay its debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business. 

 

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Voting Rights. Holders of the Ordinary Shares have the right to receive notice of, attend and vote at general meetings of LZ Technology. Holders of the Class A Ordinary Shares and the Class B Ordinary Shares shall, at all times (other than in respect of separate general meetings of the holders of a class or series of shares), vote together as one class on all matters submitted to a vote by the members at any such general meeting. Each Class A Ordinary Share shall be entitled to ten (10) votes on all matters subject to the vote at general meetings of the Company, and each Class B Ordinary Share shall be entitled to one (1) vote on all matters subject to the vote at general meetings of the Company. Voting at any meeting of shareholders is to be decided on a show of hands unless a poll is required by the rules and regulations of Nasdaq or a poll is demanded by:

 

the chairman of such meeting;

 

at least three shareholders present in person or by proxy or (in the case of a shareholder being a corporation) by its duly authorised representative for the time being entitled to vote at the meeting;

 

shareholder(s) present in person or by proxy or (in the case of a shareholder being a corporation) by its duly authorised representative representing not less than one-tenth of the total voting rights of all shareholders having the right to vote at the meeting; and

 

shareholder(s) present in person or by proxy or (in the case of a shareholder being a corporation) by its duly authorised representative and holding shares in us conferring a right to vote at the meeting being shares on which an aggregate sum has been paid up equal to not less than one-tenth of the total sum paid up on all shares conferring that right.

 

An ordinary resolution to be passed at a meeting by the shareholders requires the affirmative vote of a simple majority of the votes cast by those shareholders present and voting at the meeting, while a special resolution requires the affirmative vote of no less than two-thirds of the votes cast by those shareholders present and voting at the meeting. A special resolution will be required in order for important matters, such as a change of name, making changes to the post offering memorandum and articles of association, a reduction of the share capital and the winding up of the company. Shareholders may, among other things, divide or combine their shares by ordinary resolution.

 

General Meetings of Shareholders. As a Cayman Islands exempted company, LZ Technology is not obliged by the Companies Act to call shareholders’ annual general meetings. The post offering memorandum and articles of association provide that LZ Technology shall, if required by the Companies Act, in each year hold a general meeting as its annual general meeting, and shall specify the meeting as such in the notices calling it, and the annual general meeting shall be held at such time and place as may be determined by the directors. General meetings, including annual general meetings, may be held at such times and in any location in the world as may be determined by the Board. A general meeting or any class meeting may also be held by means of such telephone, electronic or other communication facilities as to permit all persons participating in the meeting to communicate with each other, and participation in such a meeting constitutes presence at such meeting.

 

Shareholders’ general meetings may be convened by the chairperson of the board of directors or by a majority of the board of directors. Advance notice of not less than ten clear days is required for the convening of an annual general shareholders’ meeting (if any) and any other general meeting of the shareholders. At any general meeting, two (2) shareholders entitled to vote and present in person or by proxy or (in the case of a shareholder being a corporation) by its duly authorised representative representing not less than one-third of the voting power of the total issued shares in LZ Technology throughout the meeting shall form a quorum for all purposes.

 

The Companies Act does not provide shareholders with any right to requisition a general meeting or to put any proposal before a general meeting. However, these rights may be provided in a company’s articles of association. The post offering memorandum and articles of association do not provide shareholders with any right to requisition a general meeting or put any proposals before annual general meetings or extraordinary general meetings not called by such shareholders.

 

Transfer of Ordinary Shares. Subject to the restrictions contained in the post offering memorandum and articles of association, shareholders may transfer all or any of his or her Ordinary Shares by an instrument of transfer in the usual or common form or in a form designated by the relevant stock exchange or any other form approved by the board of directors. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Ordinary Shares may also be transferred in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations of the relevant stock exchange.

 

The board of directors of LZ Technology may, in its absolute discretion, decline to register any transfer of any Ordinary Share which is not fully paid up or on which LZ Technology has a lien. The board of directors may also decline to register any transfer of any Ordinary Share unless:

 

the instrument of transfer is lodged with LZ Technology, accompanied by the certificate for the Ordinary Shares to which it relates and such other evidence as the board of directors may reasonably require to show the right of the transferor to make the transfer;

 

the instrument of transfer is in respect of only one class of shares;

 

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the instrument of transfer is properly stamped, if required;

 

in the case of a transfer to joint holders, the number of joint holders to whom the shares are to be transferred does not exceed four; and

 

a fee of such maximum sum as the relevant stock exchange may determine to be payable or such lesser sum as the directors may from time to time require is paid to LZ Technology in respect thereof.

 

If the directors refuse to register a transfer they shall, within two months after the date on which the instrument of transfer was lodged, send to each of the transferor and the transferee notice of such refusal.

 

The registration of transfers may, after compliance with any notice required in accordance with the rules of the relevant stock exchange, be suspended and the register closed at such times and for such periods as the board of directors may from time to time determine; provided, however, that the registration of transfers shall not be suspended nor the register closed for more than 30 days in any year as the board may determine.

 

Liquidation. On the winding up of LZ Technology, if the assets available for distribution amongst its shareholders shall be more than sufficient to repay the whole of the share capital at the commencement of the winding up, the surplus shall be distributed amongst the shareholders in proportion to the par value of the shares held by them at the commencement of the winding up, subject to a deduction from those shares in respect of which there are monies due, of all monies payable to LZ Technology for unpaid calls or otherwise. If our assets available for distribution are insufficient to repay all of the paid-up capital, such the assets will be distributed so that, as nearly as may be, the losses are borne by the shareholders in proportion to the par value of the shares held by them.

 

Calls on Shares and Forfeiture of Shares. The board of directors of LZ Technology may from time to time make calls upon shareholders for any amounts unpaid on their shares in a notice served to such shareholders at least 14 days prior to the specified time and place of payment. The shares that have been called upon and remain unpaid are subject to forfeiture.

 

Redemption, Repurchase and Surrender of Shares. LZ Technology may issue shares on terms that such shares are subject to redemption, at its option or at the option of the holders of these shares, on such terms and in such manner as may be determined by the board of directors. LZ Technology may also repurchase any of its shares on such terms and in such manner as have been approved by its board of directors. Under the Companies Act, the redemption or repurchase of any share may be paid out of LZ Technology’s profits, share premium or out of the proceeds of a new issue of shares made for the purpose of such redemption or repurchase, or out of capital if LZ Technology can, immediately following such payment, pay its debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business. In addition, under the Companies Act no such share may be redeemed or repurchased (a) unless it is fully paid up, (b) if such redemption or repurchase would result in there being no shares outstanding or (c) if the company has commenced liquidation. In addition, LZ Technology may accept the surrender of any fully paid share for no consideration.

 

Variations of Rights of Shares. Whenever the capital of LZ Technology is divided into different classes, the rights attached to any such class may, subject to any rights or restrictions for the time being attached to any class, only be varied with the sanction of a resolution passed by a majority of two-thirds of the votes cast at a separate meeting of the holders of the shares of that class. The rights conferred upon the holders of the shares of any class issued with preferred or other rights shall not, unless otherwise expressly provided by the terms of issue of the shares of that class, be deemed to be varied by the creation, allotment or issue of further shares ranking pari passu with such existing class of shares.

 

Issuance of Additional Shares. The post offering memorandum and articles of association of LZ Technology authorize its board of directors to issue additional Ordinary Shares from time to time as the board of directors shall determine, to the extent of available authorized but unissued shares.

 

The post offering memorandum and articles of association also authorize the board of directors to establish from time to time one or more series of preference shares and to determine, with respect to any series of preference shares, the terms and rights of that series, including, among other things:

 

the designation of the series;

 

the number of shares of the series;

 

the dividend rights, dividend rates, conversion rights and voting rights; and

 

the rights and terms of redemption and liquidation preferences.

 

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The board of directors of LZ Technology may issue preference shares without action by the shareholders to the extent of available authorized but unissued shares. Issuance of these shares may dilute the voting power of holders of Ordinary Shares.

 

Inspection of Books and Records. Under Cayman Islands law, a list of the names of the current directors and alternate directors (if applicable) is made available by the Cayman Islands Registrar of Companies for inspection by any person on payment of a fee. The register of mortgages is open to inspection by creditors and shareholders. Apart from the foregoing, holders of the Ordinary Shares will have no general right under Cayman Islands law to inspect or obtain copies of the register of members or corporate records and accounts of LZ Technology. However, the post offering memorandum and articles of association of LZ Technology have provisions that provide the shareholders the right to inspect register of members without charge, and to receive the annual audited financial statements of LZ Technology. See “Where You Can Find Additional Information.”

 

Anti-Takeover Provisions. Some provisions of the post offering memorandum and articles of association of LZ Technology may discourage, delay or prevent a change of control of LZ Technology or management that shareholders may consider favorable, including provisions that:

 

authorize the board of directors of LZ Technology to issue preference shares in one or more series and to designate the price, rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of such preference shares without any further vote or action by the shareholders; and

 

limit the ability of shareholders to requisition and convene general meetings of shareholders.

 

However, under Cayman Islands law, directors of LZ Technology may only exercise the rights and powers granted to them under its post offering memorandum and articles of association for a proper purpose and for what they believe in good faith to be in the best interests of LZ Technology.

 

Exempted Company.  LZ Technology is an exempted company with limited liability under the Companies Act. The Companies Act distinguishes between ordinary resident companies and exempted companies. Any company that is registered in the Cayman Islands but conducts business mainly outside of the Cayman Islands may apply to be registered as an exempted company. The requirements for an exempted company are essentially the same as for an ordinary company except that an exempted company:

 

does not have to file an annual return of its shareholders with the Registrar of Companies;

 

is not required to open its register of members for inspection;

 

does not have to hold an annual general meeting;

 

may issue shares with no par value;

 

may obtain an undertaking against the imposition of any future taxation (such undertakings are usually given for 20 years in the first instance);

 

may register by way of continuation in another jurisdiction and be deregistered in the Cayman Islands;

 

may register as an exempted limited duration company; and

 

may register as a segregated portfolio company.

 

“Limited liability” means that the liability of each shareholder is limited to the amount unpaid by the shareholder on that shareholder’s shares of the company (except in exceptional circumstances, such as involving fraud, the establishment of an agency relationship or an illegal or improper purpose or other circumstances in which a court may be prepared to pierce or lift the corporate veil).

 

Differences in Corporate Law

 

The Companies Act is derived, to a large extent, from the older Companies Acts of England but does not follow recent English statutory enactments and accordingly there are significant differences between the Companies Act and the current Companies Act of England. In addition, the Companies Act differs from laws applicable to U.S. corporations and their shareholders. Set forth below is a summary of certain significant differences between the provisions of the Companies Act applicable to us and the laws applicable to companies incorporated in the United States and their shareholders.

 

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Mergers and Similar Arrangements. The Companies Act permits mergers and consolidations between Cayman Islands companies and between Cayman Islands companies and non-Cayman Islands companies. For these purposes, (a) “merger” means the merging of two or more constituent companies and the vesting of their undertaking, property and liabilities in one of such companies as the surviving company, and (b) a “consolidation” means the combination of two or more constituent companies into a consolidated company and the vesting of the undertaking, property and liabilities of such companies to the consolidated company. In order to effect such a merger or consolidation, the directors of each constituent company must approve a written plan of merger or consolidation, which must then be authorized by (a) a special resolution of the shareholders of each constituent company, and (b) such other authorization, if any, as may be specified in such constituent company’s articles of association. The plan must be filed with the Registrar of Companies of the Cayman Islands together with a declaration as to the solvency of the consolidated or surviving company, a list of the assets and liabilities of each constituent company and an undertaking that a copy of the certificate of merger or consolidation will be given to the members and creditors of each constituent company and that notification of the merger or consolidation will be published in the Cayman Islands Gazette. Court approval is not required for a merger or consolidation which is effected in compliance with these statutory procedures.

 

A merger between a Cayman parent company and its Cayman subsidiary or subsidiaries does not require authorization by a resolution of shareholders of that Cayman subsidiary if a copy of the plan of merger is given to every member of that Cayman subsidiary to be merged unless that member agrees otherwise. For this purpose, a company is a “parent” of a subsidiary if it holds issued shares that together represent at least ninety percent (90%) of the votes at a general meeting of the subsidiary.

 

The consent of each holder of a fixed or floating security interest over a constituent company is required unless this requirement is waived by a court in the Cayman Islands.

 

Save in certain limited circumstances, a shareholder of a Cayman constituent company who dissents from the merger or consolidation is entitled to payment of the fair value of his shares (which, if not agreed between the parties, will be determined by the Cayman Islands court) upon dissenting to the merger or consolidation, provided the dissenting shareholder complies strictly with the procedures set out in the Companies Act. The exercise of dissenter rights will preclude the exercise by the dissenting shareholder of any other rights to which he or she might otherwise be entitled by virtue of holding shares, save for the right to seek relief on the grounds that the merger or consolidation is void or unlawful.

 

Separate from the statutory provisions relating to mergers and consolidations, the Companies Act also contains statutory provisions that facilitate the reconstruction and amalgamation of companies by way of schemes of arrangement, provided that the arrangement is approved by seventy-five per cent in value of the members or class of members, as the case may be, with whom the arrangement is to be made and a majority in number of each class of creditors with whom the arrangement is to be made, and who must in addition represent seventy-five per cent in value of each such class of creditors, as the case may be, that are present and voting either in person or by proxy at a meeting, or meetings, convened for that purpose. The convening of the meetings and subsequently the arrangement must be sanctioned by the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands. While a dissenting shareholder has the right to express to the court the view that the transaction ought not to be approved, the court can be expected to approve the arrangement if it determines that:

 

  the statutory provisions as to the required majority vote have been met;

 

  the shareholders have been fairly represented at the meeting in question and the statutory majority are acting bona fide without coercion of the minority to promote interests adverse to those of the class;

 

  the arrangement is such that may be reasonably approved by an intelligent and honest man of that Class acting in respect of his interest; and

 

  the arrangement is not one that would more properly be sanctioned under some other provision of the Companies Act.

 

The Companies Act also contains a statutory power of compulsory acquisition which may facilitate the “squeeze out” of a dissentient minority shareholder upon a tender offer. When a tender offer is made and accepted by holders of 90% of the shares affected within four months, the offeror may, within a two-month period commencing on the expiration of such four-month period, require the holders of the remaining shares to transfer such shares to the offeror on the terms of the offer. An objection can be made to the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands but this is unlikely to succeed in the case of an offer which has been so approved unless there is evidence of fraud, bad faith or collusion.

 

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If an arrangement and reconstruction by way of scheme of arrangement is thus approved and sanctioned, or if a tender offer is made and accepted, in accordance with the foregoing statutory procedures, a dissenting shareholder would have no rights comparable to appraisal rights, save that objectors to a takeover offer may apply to the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands for various orders that the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands has a broad discretion to make, which would otherwise ordinarily be available to dissenting shareholders of Delaware corporations, providing rights to receive payment in cash for the judicially determined value of the shares.

 

The Companies Act also contains statutory provisions which provide that a company may present a petition to the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands for the appointment of a restructuring officer on the grounds that the company (a) is or is likely to become unable to pay its debts within the meaning of section 93 of the Companies Act; and (b) intends to present a compromise or arrangement to its creditors (or classes thereof) either, pursuant to the Companies Act, the law of a foreign country or by way of a consensual restructuring. The petition may be presented by a company acting by its directors, without a resolution of its members or an express power in its articles of association. On hearing such a petition, the Cayman Islands court may, among other things, make an order appointing a restructuring officer or make any other order as the court thinks fit.

 

Shareholders’ Suits. In principle, LZ Technology will normally be the proper plaintiff and as a general rule a derivative action may not be brought by a minority shareholder. However, based on English authorities, which would in all likelihood be of persuasive authority in the Cayman Islands, the Cayman Islands courts can be expected to follow and apply the common law principles (namely the rule in Foss v. Harbottle and the exceptions thereto) so that a non-controlling shareholder may be permitted to commence a class action against or derivative actions in the name of the company to challenge actions where:

 

  a company acts or proposes to act illegally or ultra vires;

 

  the act complained of, although not ultra vires, could only be effected duly if authorized by more than the number of votes which have actually been obtained; and

 

  those who control the company are perpetrating a “fraud on the minority.”

 

A shareholder may have a direct right of action against LZ Technology where the individual rights of that shareholder have been infringed or are about to be infringed.

 

Our post-offering articles of association contains a provision by which our shareholders waive any claim or right of action that they may have, both individually and on our behalf, against any director in relation to any action or failure to take action by such director in the performance of his or her duties with or for our Company, except in respect of any fraud, wilful default or dishonesty of such director.

 

Indemnification of Directors and Executive Officers and Limitation of Liability. Cayman Islands law does not limit the extent to which a company’s memorandum and articles of association may provide for indemnification of officers and directors, except to the extent any such provision may be held by the Cayman Islands courts to be contrary to public policy, such as to provide indemnification against civil fraud or the consequences of committing a crime. The post offering memorandum and articles of association of LZ Technology provide that that LZ Technology shall indemnify its directors and officers, and their personal representatives, against all actions, proceedings, costs, charges, expenses, losses, damages or liabilities incurred or sustained by such persons, other than by reason of such person’s dishonesty, wilful default or fraud, in or about the conduct of LZ Technology’s business or affairs (including as a result of any mistake of judgment) or in the execution or discharge of his duties, powers, authorities or discretions, including without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, any costs, expenses, losses or liabilities incurred by such director or officer in defending (whether successfully or otherwise) any civil proceedings concerning LZ Technology or its affairs in any court whether in the Cayman Islands or elsewhere. This standard of conduct is generally the same as permitted under the Delaware General Corporation Law for a Delaware corporation.

 

In addition, we have entered into indemnification agreements with our directors and executive officers that provide such persons with additional indemnification beyond that provided in the post offering memorandum and articles of association of LZ Technology.

 

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to our directors, officers or persons controlling us under the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.

 

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Directors’ Fiduciary Duties. Under Delaware corporate law, a director of a Delaware corporation has a fiduciary duty to the corporation and its shareholders. This duty has two components: the duty of care and the duty of loyalty. The duty of care requires that a director act in good faith, with the care that an ordinarily prudent person would exercise under similar circumstances. Under this duty, a director must inform himself of, and disclose to shareholders, all material information reasonably available regarding a significant transaction. The duty of loyalty requires that a director acts in a manner he reasonably believes to be in the best interests of the corporation. He must not use his corporate position for personal gain or advantage. This duty prohibits self-dealing by a director and mandates that the best interest of the corporation and its shareholders take precedence over any interest possessed by a director, officer or controlling shareholder and not shared by the shareholders generally. In general, actions of a director are presumed to have been made on an informed basis, in good faith and in the honest belief that the action taken was in the best interests of the corporation. However, this presumption may be rebutted by evidence of a breach of one of the fiduciary duties. Should such evidence be presented concerning a transaction by a director, the director must prove the procedural fairness of the transaction, and that the transaction was of fair value to the corporation.

 

As a matter of Cayman Islands law, a director of a Cayman Islands company is in the position of a fiduciary with respect to the company and therefore it is considered that he owes the following duties to the company — a duty to act in good faith in the best interests of the company, a duty not to make a personal profit based on his position as director (unless the company permits him to do so), a duty not to put himself in a position where the interests of the company conflict with his personal interest or his duty to a third party and a duty to exercise powers for the purpose for which such powers were intended. A director of a Cayman Islands company owes to the company a duty to act with skill and care. It was previously considered that a director need not exhibit in the performance of his duties a greater degree of skill than may reasonably be expected from a person of his knowledge and experience. However, English and Commonwealth courts have moved towards an objective standard with regard to the required skill and care and these authorities are likely to be followed in the Cayman Islands.

 

Shareholder Action by Written Consent. Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporation may eliminate the right of shareholders to act by written consent by amendment to its certificate of incorporation. The post offering articles of association of LZ Technology provide that any action required or permitted to be taken at any general meetings may be taken upon the vote of shareholders at a general meeting duly noticed and convened in accordance with our post offering articles of association and may be taken by written consent of the shareholders without a meeting.

 

Shareholder Proposals. Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a shareholder has the right to put any proposal before the annual meeting of shareholders, provided it complies with the notice provisions in the governing documents. A special meeting may be called by the board of directors or any other person authorized to do so in the governing documents, but shareholders may be precluded from calling special meetings.

 

The Companies Act does not provide shareholders with any right to requisition a general meeting or to put any proposal before a general meeting. However, these rights may be provided in a company’s articles of association. LZ Technology’s post offering articles of association do not provide its shareholders with such right. As an exempted Cayman Islands company, LZ Technology is not obliged by law to call shareholders’ annual general meetings.

 

Cumulative Voting. Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, cumulative voting for elections of directors is not permitted unless the corporation’s certificate of incorporation specifically provides for it. Cumulative voting potentially facilitates the representation of minority shareholders on a board of directors since it permits the minority shareholder to cast all the votes to which the shareholder is entitled on a single director, which increases the shareholder’s voting power with respect to electing such director. There are no prohibitions in relation to cumulative voting under the laws of the Cayman Islands but the post offering articles of association of LZ Technology do not provide for cumulative voting. As a result, shareholders of LZ Technology are not afforded any less protections or rights on this issue than shareholders of a Delaware corporation.

 

Removal of Directors. Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a director of a corporation with a classified board may be removed only for cause with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Under the post offering articles of association, subject to certain restrictions as contained therein, directors may be removed with or without cause, by an ordinary resolution of shareholders. An appointment of a director may be on terms that the director shall automatically retire from office (unless he has sooner vacated office) at the next or a subsequent annual general meeting or upon any specified event or after any specified period in a written agreement between the company and the director, if any; but no such term shall be implied in the absence of express provision. Under the post offering articles of association of LZ Technology, a director’s office shall be vacated if the director (i) becomes bankrupt or has a receiving order made against him or suspends payment or compounds with his creditors; (ii) is found to be or becomes of unsound mind or dies; (iii) resigns his office by notice in writing to the company; (iv) without special leave of absence from the board of directors of LZ Technology, is absent from three consecutive meetings of the board and the board resolves that his office be vacated; (v) is prohibited by law from being a director or; (vi) is removed from office pursuant to the laws of the Cayman Islands or any other provisions of the post offering memorandum and articles of association of LZ Technology.

 

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Transactions with Interested Shareholders. The Delaware General Corporation Law contains a business combination statute applicable to Delaware corporations whereby, unless the corporation has specifically elected not to be governed by such statute by amendment to its certificate of incorporation, it is prohibited from engaging in certain business combinations with an “interested shareholder” for three years following the date that such person becomes an interested shareholder. An interested shareholder generally is a person or a group who or which owns or owned 15% or more of the target’s outstanding voting share within the past three years. This has the effect of limiting the ability of a potential acquirer to make a two-tiered bid for the target in which all shareholders would not be treated equally. The statute does not apply if, among other things, prior to the date on which such shareholder becomes an interested shareholder, the board of directors approves either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the person becoming an interested shareholder. This encourages any potential acquirer of a Delaware corporation to negotiate the terms of any acquisition transaction with the target’s board of directors.

 

Cayman Islands law has no comparable statute. As a result, we cannot avail ourselves of the types of protections afforded by the Delaware business combination statute. However, although Cayman Islands law does not regulate transactions between a company and its significant shareholders, it does provide that such transactions must be entered into bona fide in the best interests of the company and not with the effect of constituting a fraud on the minority shareholders.

 

Dissolution; Winding up. Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, unless the board of directors approves the proposal to dissolve, dissolution must be approved by shareholders holding 100% of the total voting power of the corporation. Only if the dissolution is initiated by the board of directors may it be approved by a simple majority of the corporation’s outstanding shares. Delaware law allows a Delaware corporation to include in its certificate of incorporation a supermajority voting requirement in connection with dissolutions initiated by the board.

 

Under Cayman Islands law, a company may be wound up by either an order of the courts of the Cayman Islands or by a special resolution of its members or, if the company is unable to pay its debts, by an ordinary resolution of its members. The court has authority to order winding up in a number of specified circumstances including where it is, in the opinion of the court, just and equitable to do so.

 

Variation of Rights of Shares. Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporation may vary the rights of a class of shares with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares of such class, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Under the post offering articles of association of LZ Technology, if the share capital of LZ Technology is divided into more than one class of shares, the rights attached to any such class may only be varied with the sanction of a resolution passed by a majority of two-thirds of the votes cast at a separate meeting of the holders of the shares of that class.

 

Amendment of Governing Documents. Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporation’s governing documents may be amended with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Under Cayman Islands law, the post offering memorandum and articles of association of LZ Technology may only be amended with a special resolution of shareholders.

 

Rights of Non-resident or Foreign Shareholders. There are no limitations imposed by the post offering memorandum and articles of association of LZ Technology on the rights of non-resident or foreign shareholders to hold or exercise voting rights on the shares of LZ Technology. In addition, there are no provisions in the post offering memorandum and articles of association of LZ Technology governing the ownership threshold above which shareholder ownership must be disclosed.

 

History of Securities Issuances

 

Upon LZ Technology’s incorporation on November 23, 2022, it had an authorized share capital of $50,000 divided into 50,000 shares of a par value of $1.00 each. On November 23, 2022, one ordinary share, par value of $1.00, was allotted and issued to the initial subscriber, Sertus Nominees (Cayman) Limited, who transferred the share to LZ Holdings, on the same day. In addition, an additional 49,999 ordinary shares, par value of $1.00 each, were allotted and issued to LZ Holdings for a total consideration of $49,999. As a result, LZ Technology had 50,000 ordinary shares, par value of $1.00 each, issued and outstanding on November 23, 2022.

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On June 23, 2023, LZ Technology repurchased 49,999 ordinary shares, $1.00 par value, from LZ Holdings for $49,999. LZ Technology paid the purchase price out of its capital and the repurchased shares were immediately cancelled. As a result of the repurchase, LZ Technology had one ordinary share, $1.00 par value issued and outstanding, which was owned by LZ Holdings.

 

Immediately following the above repurchase of shares, each issued and unissued share of LZ Technology, par value of $1.00 was subdivided into 10,000 shares, par value of $0.0001 each. As a result of the subdivision, the authorized share capital of LZ Technology changed from $50,000 divided into 50,000 shares with a par value of $1.00 each to $50,000 divided into 500,000,000 shares with a par value of $0.0001 each. In addition, immediately after the subdivision, the authorized share capital of LZ Technology was re-classified and re-designated into $50,000 divided into 20,000,000 Class A Ordinary Shares, par value of $0.0001 each and 480,000,000 Class B Ordinary Shares, par value of $0.0001 each. The then issued, post-subdivision 10,000 ordinary shares owned by LZ Holdings, were re-classified and re-designated as 10,000 Class A Ordinary Shares.

 

Following the re-classification and re-designation referred to above, LZ Technology allotted and issued the following shares:

 

9,579,248 Class A Ordinary Shares to LZ Holdings for $957,9248;

 

11,807,883 Class B Ordinary Shares to LZ Holdings for $1180.7883;
  
6,239,909 Class B Ordinary Shares to BJ Tojoy Shared Enterprise Consulting Ltd for $623.9909;
  
15,000,000 Class B Ordinary Shares to Vanshion Investment Group Limited (万盛投资集团有限公司)for $1,500;
  
16,942,491 Class B Ordinary Shares to Youder Investment Group Limited (友达投资集团有限公司)for $1,694.2491;
  
1,259,273 Class B Ordinary Shares to Sing Family Investment Limited for $125.9273; and
  
3,032,846 Class B Ordinary Shares to Kim Full Investment Company Limited for $303.2846.

 

Upon completion of the above reorganization, the authorized share capital of LZ Technology became $50,000 divided into 500,000,000 shares of a nominal or par value of $0.0001 each, comprising of 20,000,000 Class A Ordinary Shares of a par value of $0.0001 each and 480,000,000 Class B Ordinary Shares of a par value of $0.0001 each. As of the date of the prospectus, there are 9,589,248 Class A Ordinary Shares and 54,282,402 Class B Ordinary Shares issued and outstanding.

 

Listing

 

We have applied to have the Class B Ordinary Shares listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “LZMH”. We cannot guarantee that we will be successful in listing the Class B Ordinary Shares on the Nasdaq Capital Market; however, we will not complete this offering unless we are so listed.

 

Transfer Agent and Registrar

 

The transfer agent and registrar for the Class B Ordinary Shares is [   ]. The transfer agent and registrar’s address is [   ].

 

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SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE

 

Upon completion of this offering, we will have issued and outstanding [ ] Class B Ordinary Shares (or [ ] Class B Ordinary Shares if the underwriters exercise the over-allotment option in full). All of the Class B Ordinary Shares sold in this offering will be freely transferable without restriction under the Securities Act unless purchased by one of our affiliates as that term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act, which generally includes directors, executive officers and 10% shareholders. Sales of substantial amounts of the Class B Ordinary Shares in the public market could adversely affect prevailing market prices of Class B Ordinary Shares. All outstanding Class B Ordinary Shares prior to this offering are “restricted securities” as that term is defined in Rule 144 and may be sold only if they are sold pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act or an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act such as those provided in Rules 144 and 701 promulgated under the Securities Act, which rules are summarized below. Restricted Class B Ordinary Shares may also be sold outside of the United States in accordance with Regulation S under the Securities Act. This prospectus may not be used in connection with any resale of the Class B Ordinary Shares acquired in this offering by our affiliates.

 

Rule 144

 

In general, under Rule 144 of the Securities Act, a person or entity that has beneficially owned the Class B Ordinary Shares for at least six months and is not our “affiliate” will be entitled to sell the Class B Ordinary Shares, subject only to the availability of current public information about us, and will be entitled to sell Class B Ordinary Shares held for at least one year without any restriction. A person or entity that is our “affiliate” and has beneficially owned Class B Ordinary Shares for at least six months will be able to sell, within a rolling three month period, the number of Class B Ordinary Shares that does not exceed the greater of the following:

 

(i)1% of the then outstanding Class B Ordinary Shares, which immediately after this offering will equal approximately [ ] Class B Ordinary Shares (or [ ] Class B Ordinary Shares if the underwriter exercises the over-allotment option in full); and

 

(ii)the average weekly trading volume of Class B Ordinary Shares on Nasdaq Capital Market during the four calendar weeks preceding the date on which notice of the sale is filed with the SEC.

 

Sales by affiliates under Rule 144 must be made through unsolicited brokers’ transactions. They are also subject to manner of sale provisions, notice requirements and the availability of current public information about us.

 

Rule 701

 

In general, under Rule 701 of the Securities Act as currently in effect, each of our employees, directors or consultants who purchases the Class B Ordinary Shares from us pursuant to a compensatory stock or option plan or other written agreement relating to compensation is eligible to resell such Class B Ordinary Shares 90 days after we become a reporting company under the Exchange Act in reliance on Rule 144, but without compliance with some of the restrictions, such as the holding period, contained in Rule 144. However, the Rule 701 shares would remain subject to lock-up arrangements and would only become eligible for sale when the lock-up period expires.

 

Regulation S

 

Regulation S provides generally that sales made in offshore transactions are not subject to the registration or prospectus-delivery requirements of the Securities Act.

 

Lock-up Agreements

 

See “Underwriting—Lock-up Agreements.”

 

We are not aware of any plans by any significant shareholders to dispose of significant numbers of the Class B Ordinary Shares. However, we cannot predict what effect, if any, future sales of the Class B Ordinary Shares, or the availability of Class B Ordinary Shares for future sale, will have on the trading price of the Class B Ordinary Shares from time to time. Sales of substantial amounts of the Class B Ordinary Shares in the public market, or the perception that these sales could occur, could adversely affect the trading price of the Class B Ordinary Shares.

 

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TAXATION

 

The following sets forth material Cayman Islands, PRC and U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the Class B Ordinary Shares. It is based upon laws and relevant interpretations thereof as of the date of this prospectus, all of which are subject to change. This discussion does not address all possible tax consequences relating to an investment in the Class B Ordinary Shares, such as the tax consequences under state, local and other tax laws. To the extent that the discussion relates to matters of Cayman Islands tax law, it is the opinion of Conyers Dill & Pearman, our special Cayman Islands counsel. To the extent that the discussion relates to matters of PRC tax law, it is the opinion of Hylands Law Firm, our special PRC counsel. To the extent that the discussion relates to matters of U.S. federal income tax law it is the opinion of Potomac Law Group, our U.S. counsel as to the material U.S. federal income tax consequences to the U.S. Holders described herein of an investment in the Class B Ordinary Shares.

 

Cayman Islands Taxation

 

The Cayman Islands currently levies no taxes on individuals or corporations based upon profits, income, gains or appreciations and there is no taxation in the nature of inheritance tax or estate duty. There are no other taxes likely to be material to us levied by the Government of the Cayman Islands except for stamp duties which may be applicable on instruments executed in, or after execution brought within, the jurisdiction of the Cayman Islands. The Cayman Islands are a party to a double tax treaty entered into with the United Kingdom in 2010 but otherwise is not party to any double tax treaties. There are no exchange control regulations or currency restrictions in the Cayman Islands.

 

Payments of dividends and capital in respect of Ordinary Shares will not be subject to taxation in the Cayman Islands and no withholding will be required on the payment of a dividend or capital to any holder of Ordinary Shares, nor will gains derived from the disposal of Ordinary Shares be subject to Cayman Islands income or corporation tax.

 

Under the laws of the Cayman Islands, no stamp duty is payable in the Cayman Islands on transfers of shares of Cayman Islands companies except those which hold interests in land in the Cayman Islands or if the transfer documents are executed in or brought into the Cayman Islands.

 

PRC Taxation

 

In March 2007, the National People’s Congress of China enacted the Enterprise Income Tax Law, which became effective on January 1, 2008 and amended on February 24, 2017. Generally, our PRC subsidiaries, which are considered PRC resident enterprises under the Enterprise Income Tax Law, are subject to enterprise income tax on their worldwide taxable income as determined under the Enterprise Income Tax Law and accounting standards at a rate of 25%.

 

In addition, the Enterprise Income Tax Law provides that enterprises organized under the laws of jurisdictions outside of China with their “de facto management bodies” located within China may be considered PRC resident enterprises and therefore subject to PRC enterprise income tax at the rate of 25% on their worldwide income. The Implementing Rules of the Enterprise Income Tax Law further defines the term “de facto management body” as the management body that exercises substantial and overall management and control over the business, personnel, accounts and properties of an enterprise. While we do not currently consider LZ Technology or any of its overseas subsidiaries to be a PRC resident enterprise, there is a risk that the PRC tax authorities may deem LZ Technology or any of its overseas subsidiaries as a PRC resident enterprise since a substantial majority of the members of their management team as well as the management team of the overseas subsidiaries are located in China.

 

If the PRC tax authorities determine that LZ Technology or any of its overseas subsidiaries is a “resident enterprise” for PRC enterprise income tax purpose, a number of unfavorable PRC tax consequences could follow. First, we may be subject to the enterprise income tax at a rate of 25% on our worldwide taxable income as well as PRC enterprise income tax reporting obligations. In our case, this would mean that income such as non-China source income would be subject to PRC enterprise income tax at a rate of 25%. Second, under the Enterprise Income Tax Law and its implementing rules, we may be required to withhold a 10% withholding tax from dividends LZ Technology pays to the shareholders that are non-resident enterprises, including the holders of the Class B Ordinary Shares. Finally, non-resident enterprise shareholders may be subject to a 10% PRC tax on gains realized on the sale or other disposition of Class B Ordinary Shares, if such income is treated as sourced from within China. Furthermore, if LZ Technology is deemed a PRC resident enterprise, dividends paid to individual investors who are non-PRC residents and any gain realized on the transfer of Class B Ordinary Shares by such investors may be subject to PRC tax at a current rate of 20% (which in the case of dividends may be withheld at source). Any PRC tax liability may be reduced under applicable tax treaties or tax arrangements between China and other jurisdictions. If LZ Technology or any of its subsidiaries established outside of China are considered a PRC resident enterprise, it is unclear whether holders of the Class B Ordinary Shares would be able to claim the benefit of income tax treaties or agreements entered into between China and other countries or areas. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—We may be treated as a resident enterprise for PRC tax purposes under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law, and we may therefore be subject to PRC income tax on our global income.”

 

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U.S. Federal Income Taxation

 

The following summarizes the material U.S. federal income tax consequences to the U.S. Holders described below of owning and disposing of the Class B Ordinary Shares. This discussion does not purport to be a comprehensive description of all of the tax considerations that may be relevant to a particular person’s decision to acquire our Class B Ordinary Shares.

 

This discussion applies only to a U.S. Holder that acquires the Class B Ordinary Shares in this offering and holds the Class B Ordinary Shares as capital assets for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In addition, it does not describe all of the tax consequences that may be relevant in light of a U.S. Holder’s particular circumstances, including the alternative minimum tax, the Medicare contribution tax on net investment income and tax consequences applicable to U.S. Holders subject to special rules, such as:

 

certain financial institutions;

 

securities dealers or traders in securities that use a mark-to-market method of tax accounting;
  
persons holding Class B Ordinary Shares as part of a straddle, conversion transaction, integrated transaction or similar transaction;
  
persons whose functional currency for U.S. federal income tax purposes is not the U.S. dollar;
  
entities classified as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes and their partners or investors;
  
tax-exempt entities, “individual retirement accounts” or “Roth IRAs”;
  
persons that own or are deemed to own Class B Ordinary Shares representing 10% or more of the voting power or value; or
  
persons holding Class B Ordinary Shares in connection with a trade or business outside the United States.

 

If a partnership (or other entity that is classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) owns Class B Ordinary Shares, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner will generally depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Partnerships owning Class B Ordinary Shares and partners in such partnerships should consult their tax advisers as to the particular U.S. federal income tax consequences of owning and disposing of our Class B Ordinary Shares.

 

This discussion is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, administrative pronouncements, judicial decisions, final, temporary and proposed Treasury regulations, and the income tax treaty between the United States and the PRC, or the Treaty, all as of the date hereof, any of which is subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect.

 

As used herein, a “U.S. Holder” is a beneficial owner of the Class B Ordinary Shares that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

 

a citizen or individual resident of the United States;
  
a corporation, or other entity taxable as a corporation, created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state therein or the District of Columbia; or
  
an estate or trust the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source.

 

U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers concerning the U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. tax consequences of owning and disposing of Class B Ordinary Shares in their particular circumstances.

 

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Taxation of Distributions

 

Except as described below under “—Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules,” distributions paid on the Class B Ordinary Shares, other than certain pro rata distributions of Class B Ordinary Shares, will be treated as dividends to the extent paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. Because we do not maintain calculations of our earnings and profits under U.S. federal income tax principles, it is expected that distributions generally will be reported to U.S. Holders as dividends. Dividends will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction generally available to U.S. corporations under the Code. Subject to applicable limitations and the discussion above regarding concerns expressed by the U.S. Treasury, and subject to the passive foreign investment company rules described below, dividends paid to certain non-corporate U.S. Holders may be taxable at favorable rates. Non-corporate U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers regarding the availability of these favorable rates in their particular circumstances.

 

Dividends will be included in a U.S. Holder’s income on the date of receipt by the U.S. Holder. The amount of any dividend income paid in foreign currency will be the U.S. dollar amount calculated by reference to the spot rate in effect on the date of receipt, regardless of whether the payment is in fact converted into U.S. dollars on such date. If the dividend is converted into U.S. dollars on the date of receipt, a U.S. Holder generally should not be required to recognize foreign currency gain or loss in respect of the amount received. A U.S. Holder may have foreign currency gain or loss if the dividend is converted into U.S. dollars after the date of receipt.

 

Dividends will be treated as foreign-source income for foreign tax credit purposes. As described in “—PRC Taxation,” dividends paid by the Company may be subject to PRC withholding tax. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, the amount of the dividend income will include any amounts withheld in respect of PRC withholding tax. Subject to applicable limitations, which vary depending upon the U.S. Holder’s circumstances, and subject to the discussion above regarding concerns expressed by the U.S. Treasury, PRC taxes withheld from dividend payments (at a rate not exceeding the applicable rate provided in the Treaty in the case of a U.S. Holder eligible for the benefits of the Treaty) generally will be creditable against a U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability. The rules governing foreign tax credits are complex, and U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers regarding the creditability of foreign tax credits in their particular circumstances. In lieu of claiming a credit, a U.S. Holder may elect to deduct such PRC taxes in computing its taxable income, subject to applicable limitations. An election to deduct foreign taxes instead of claiming foreign tax credits must apply to all foreign taxes paid or accrued in the taxable year.

 

Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of Class B Ordinary Shares

 

Except as described below under “—Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules,” a U.S. Holder will generally recognize capital gain or loss on a sale or exchange or other taxable disposition of the Class B Ordinary Shares in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized on the sale or exchange or other taxable disposition and the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the Class B Ordinary Shares disposed of, in each case as determined in U.S. dollars. The gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if, at the time of the sale or disposition, the U.S. Holder has owned the Class B Ordinary Shares for more than one year. Long-term capital gains recognized by non-corporate U.S. Holders may be subject to tax rates that are lower than those applicable to ordinary income. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.

 

As described in “—PRC Taxation,” gains on the sale of Class B Ordinary Shares may be subject to PRC taxes. A U.S. Holder is entitled to use foreign tax credits to offset only the portion of its U.S. federal income tax liability that is attributable to foreign-source income. Because under the Code capital gains of U.S. persons are generally treated as U.S.-source income, this limitation may preclude a U.S. Holder from claiming a credit for all or a portion of any PRC taxes imposed on any such gains. However, U.S. Holders eligible for the benefits of the Treaty may be able to elect to treat the gain as PRC-source and therefore claim foreign tax credits in respect of PRC taxes on such disposition gains. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers regarding their eligibility for the benefits of the Treaty and the creditability in their particular circumstances of any PRC tax on disposition gains.

 

Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules

 

In general, a non-U.S. corporation is a PFIC for any taxable year in which (i) 75% or more of its gross income consists of passive income or (ii) 50% or more of the average quarterly value of its assets consists of assets that produce, or are held for the production of, passive income. For purposes of the above calculations, a non-U.S. corporation that owns at least 25% by value of the shares of another corporation is treated as if it held its proportionate share of the assets of the other corporation and received directly its proportionate share of the income of the other corporation. Passive income generally includes dividends, interest, rents, royalties and certain gains. Cash is a passive asset for these purposes.

 

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Based on the expected composition of our income and assets and the value of our assets, including goodwill, which in turn is based on the expected price of our shares in this offering, we do not expect to be a PFIC for our current taxable year. However, the proper application of the PFIC rules to a company with a business such as ours is not entirely clear. We will hold a substantial amount of cash following this offering, and because our PFIC status for any taxable year will depend on the composition of our income and assets and the value of our assets from time to time (which may be determined, in part, by reference to the market price of the Class B Ordinary Shares, which could be volatile), there can be no assurance that we will not be a PFIC for our current taxable year or any future taxable year.

 

If we were a PFIC for any taxable year and any of our subsidiaries were also a PFIC (any such entity referred to as a Lower-tier PFIC), U.S. Holders would be deemed to own a proportionate amount (by value) of the shares of each Lower-tier PFIC and would be subject to U.S. federal income tax according to the rules described in the subsequent paragraph on (i) certain distributions by a Lower-tier PFIC and (ii) dispositions of shares of Lower-tier PFICs, in each case as if the U.S. Holders held such shares directly, even though the U.S. Holders did not receive the proceeds of those distributions or dispositions.

 

In general, if we were a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder holds Class B Ordinary Shares, gain recognized by such U.S. Holder on a sale or other disposition (including certain pledges) of its Class B Ordinary Shares would be allocated ratably over that U.S. Holder’s holding period. The amounts allocated to the taxable year of the sale or disposition and to any year before we became a PFIC would be taxed as ordinary income. The amount allocated to each other taxable year would be subject to tax at the highest rate in effect for individuals or corporations, as appropriate, for that taxable year, and an interest charge would be imposed on the resulting tax liability for each such year. Furthermore, to the extent that distributions received by a U.S. Holder in any year on its Class B Ordinary Shares exceed 125% of the average of the annual distributions on Class B Ordinary Shares received during the preceding three years or the U.S. Holder’s holding period, whichever is shorter, such distributions would be subject to taxation in the same manner. In addition, if we were a PFIC (or with respect to a particular U.S. Holder were treated as a PFIC) for a taxable year in which we paid a dividend or for the prior taxable year, the favorable tax rates described above with respect to dividends paid to certain non-corporate U.S. Holders would not apply.

 

Alternatively, if we were a PFIC and if the Class B Ordinary Shares were “regularly traded” on a “qualified exchange,” a U.S. Holder could make a mark-to-market election that would result in tax treatment different from the general tax treatment for PFICs described in the preceding paragraph. The Class B Ordinary Shares would be treated as “regularly traded” for any calendar year in which more than a de minimis quantity of the shares were traded on a qualified exchange on at least 15 days during each calendar quarter. The Nasdaq Capital Market, where the Class B Ordinary Shares are expected to be listed, is a qualified exchange for this purpose. If a U.S. Holder makes the mark-to-market election, the U.S. Holder generally will recognize as ordinary income any excess of the fair market value of the Class B Ordinary Shares at the end of each taxable year over their adjusted tax basis, and will recognize an ordinary loss in respect of any excess of the adjusted tax basis of the Class B Ordinary Shares over their fair market value at the end of the taxable year (but only to the extent of the net amount of income previously included as a result of the mark-to-market election). If a U.S. Holder makes the election, the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the Class B Ordinary Shares will be adjusted to reflect the income or loss amounts recognized. Any gain recognized on the sale or other disposition of Class B Ordinary Shares in a year in which we are a PFIC will be treated as ordinary income, and any loss will be treated as an ordinary loss (but only to the extent of the net amount of income previously included as a result of the mark-to-market election, with any excess treated as capital loss). If a U.S. Holder makes the mark-to-market election, distributions paid on Class B Ordinary Shares will be treated as discussed under “—Taxation of Distributions” above.

 

We do not intend to provide the information necessary for U.S. Holders to make qualified electing fund elections, which if available could materially affect the tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of the Class B Ordinary Shares if we were a PFIC for any taxable year. Therefore, U.S. Holders will not be able to make such elections.

 

If we were a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder owns Class B Ordinary Shares, we would generally continue to be treated as a PFIC with respect to that U.S. Holder for all succeeding years during which the U.S. Holder owns Class B Ordinary Shares, even if we ceased to meet the threshold requirements for PFIC status.

 

If we were a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder owned any Class B Ordinary Shares, the U.S. Holder would generally be required to file annual reports with the IRS. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers regarding the determination of whether we are a PFIC for any taxable year and the potential application of the PFIC rules to their ownership of Class B Ordinary Shares.

 

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

 

Payments of dividends and sales proceeds that are made within the United States or through certain U.S.-related financial intermediaries may be subject to information reporting and backup withholding, unless (i) the U.S. Holder is a corporation or other “exempt recipient” and (ii) in the case of backup withholding, the U.S. Holder provides a correct taxpayer identification number and certifies that it is not subject to backup withholding. The amount of any backup withholding from a payment to a U.S. Holder will be allowed as a credit against the U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle it to a refund, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the Internal Revenue Service.

 

Certain U.S. Holders who are individuals (or certain specified entities) may be required to report information relating to their ownership of Class B Ordinary Shares, unless the Class B Ordinary Shares are held in accounts at financial institutions (in which case the accounts may be reportable if maintained by non-U.S. financial institutions). U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers regarding their reporting obligations with respect to the Class B Ordinary Shares.

 

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ENFORCEABILITY OF CIVIL LIABILITIES

 

Cayman Islands

 

LZ Technology is incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands as an exempted company with limited liability. It is incorporated in the Cayman Islands because of certain benefits associated with being a Cayman Islands company, such as political and economic stability, an effective judicial system, a favorable tax system, the absence of foreign exchange control or currency restrictions and the availability of professional and support services. However, the Cayman Islands has a less developed body of securities laws as compared to the United States and provides less protection for investors. In addition, Cayman Islands companies may not have standing to sue before the federal courts of the United States.

 

LZ Technology’s constitutional documents do not contain provisions requiring that disputes, including those arising under the securities laws of the United States, between LZ Technology, its officers, directors and shareholders, be subject to arbitration.

 

Substantially all of our assets are located outside the United States. In addition, most of the directors and executive officers of LZ Technology are nationals or residents of jurisdictions other than the United States and all or a substantial portion of their assets are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult for investors to effect service of process within the United States upon us or these persons, or to enforce judgments obtained in U.S. courts against us or them, including judgments predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States. It may also be difficult for you to enforce judgments obtained in U.S. courts based on the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws against us and our officers and directors.

 

LZ Technology has appointed Cogency Global Inc. as its agent to receive service of process with respect to any action brought against it under the federal or state securities law of the United States. 

 

Conyers Dill & Pearman, our counsel as to Cayman Islands law, has advised us that there is uncertainty as to whether the courts of the Cayman Islands would (i) recognize or enforce judgments of U.S. courts obtained against LZ Technology or its directors or officers that are predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States, or (ii) entertain original actions brought in the Cayman Islands against LZ Technology or its directors or officers that are predicated upon the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States.

 

We have been advised by Conyers Dill & Pearman that although there is no statutory enforcement in the Cayman Islands of judgments obtained in the federal or state courts of the United States, the courts of the Cayman Islands would recognize as a valid judgment, a final and conclusive judgment in personam obtained in the federal or state courts of the United States against LZ Technology under which a sum of money is payable (other than a sum of money payable in respect of multiple damages, taxes or other charges of a like nature or in respect of a fine or other penalty) or, in certain circumstances, an in personam judgment for non-monetary relief, and would give a judgment based thereon provided that (a) such courts had proper jurisdiction over the parties subject to such judgment; (b) such courts did not contravene the rules of natural justice of the Cayman Islands; (c) such judgment was not obtained by fraud; (d) the enforcement of the judgment would not be contrary to the public policy of the Cayman Islands; (e) no new admissible evidence relevant to the action is submitted prior to the rendering of the judgment by the courts of the Cayman Islands; and (f) there is due compliance with the correct procedures under the laws of the Cayman Islands.

 

People’s Republic of China

 

Most of our directors and officers are nationals or residents of PRC or Hong Kong and all or a substantial portion of their assets are located outside the U.S. As a result, it may be difficult for investors to effect service of process within the U.S. upon us or these persons, or to enforce against us or them judgments obtained in U.S. courts, including judgments predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws or securities laws of any U.S. state.

 

Our PRC counsel, Hylands Law Firm has advised us that the recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments are provided for under the PRC Civil Procedure Law. PRC courts shall recognize and enforce foreign judgments in accordance with the requirements of the PRC Civil Procedure Law based either on international treaties concluded or participated by the People’s Republic of China or on principles of reciprocity between jurisdictions, where the PRC courts find that the basic principle of the laws of the People’s Republic of China or the sovereignty, security or public interest of the State is not violated. As a result, judgments rendered by United States courts shall be enforced if such judgements meet the aforesaid standard.

 

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UNDERWRITING

 

In connection with this offering, we have entered into an underwriting agreement with EF Hutton LLC, as representative of the underwriters (the “representative”), in this offering. The representative may retain other brokers or dealers to act as sub-agents or selected dealers on their behalf in connection with this offering. Subject to the terms and conditions of the underwriting agreement, the underwriters have agreed to purchase from us, on a firm commitment basis, the number of Class B Ordinary Shares set forth opposite their respective names below, at the offering price less the underwriting discounts set forth on the cover page of this prospectus:

 

Underwriters   Number of Class B Ordinary
Shares
 
EF Hutton LLC   [●] 
Total   [●] 

 

The underwriting agreement provides that the obligation of the underwriters to purchase all of the Class B Ordinary Shares being offered to the public is subject to specific conditions, including the absence of any material adverse change in our business or in the financial markets and the receipt of certain legal opinions, certificates and letters from us, our counsel and the independent auditors. Subject to the terms of the underwriting agreement, the underwriters will purchase all of the shares being offered to the public, other than those covered by the over-allotment option described below, if any of these shares are purchased.

 

Over-Allotment Option

 

We have granted to the underwriters an option, exercisable not later than 45 days from the closing of this offering, to purchase up to 15% additional Class B Ordinary Shares at the public offering price, less the underwriting discounts. The underwriters may exercise this option only to cover over-allotments made in connection with the sale of the shares offered by this prospectus. To the extent that the underwriters exercise this option, the underwriters will become obligated, subject to conditions, to purchase, and we will be obligated to sell, the additional shares. If any additional shares are purchased, the underwriters will offer the additional shares on the same terms as those on which the other shares are being offered hereunder.

 

Discounts and Expenses

 

The underwriting discounts are 7% of the gross proceeds of the offering. We have agreed to pay the underwriters the discounts set forth below, assuming either no exercise or full exercise by the underwriters of the underwriters’ over-allotment option. We have been advised by the underwriters that the underwriters propose to offer the shares to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover of this prospectus and to dealers at a price that represents a concession not in excess of $[ ] per Class B Ordinary Share under the offering price. After the offering, the underwriters may change the offering price and other selling terms.

 

The following table shows the underwriting discounts payable to the underwriters by us in connection with this offering.

 

   Fee Per
Class B
Ordinary
Share(1)
   Total Without
Exercise of Over-
Allotment
   Total With
Exercise of
Over-Allotment
 
Public offering price  $       $              $           
Discount  $    $    $  
Proceeds to our company before expenses  $    $    $  

 

(1)The fees do not include the underwriters’ expense reimbursement as described below.

 

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In addition, we have agreed to pay all expenses relating to the offering, including, without limitation: (a) all filing fees and expenses relating to the registration of the securities of the Company with the SEC; (b) all fees and expenses relating to the listing of the Class B Ordinary Shares on Nasdaq Capital Market; (c) all fees associated with the review of the offering by FINRA; (d) all fees, expenses and disbursements relating to the required registration or qualification of Class B Ordinary Shares offered under “blue sky” securities laws of states and other jurisdictions designated by the representative, including the reasonable fees and disbursements of the representative’s counsel; (d) all fees, expenses and disbursements relating to the registration, qualification or exemption of the Class B Ordinary Shares of the Company under the securities laws of such foreign jurisdictions as the representative may reasonably designate; (e) the costs of mailing and printing the offering documents; (f) transfer and/or stamp taxes, if any, payable upon our transfer of the securities to the representative; (g) the fees and expenses of our accountants; (i) up to $20,000 actual accountable road show expenses for the offering; (j) the $29,500 cost associated with the use of Ipreo’s book building, prospectus tracking and compliance software for the offering; (k) the costs associated with bound volumes of the offering materials as well as commemorative mementos and lucite tombstones in an aggregate amount not to exceed $5,000; and (l) the fees for representative’s U.S. and PRC legal counsels, in an amount not to exceed $225,000. The Company will be responsible for the representative’s external counsel legal costs irrespective of whether the offering is consummated or not, subject to $100,000 if there is not a closing. We have paid $50,000 to the representative as an advance to be applied towards the reasonably anticipated out-of-pocket expenses. Any unused portion of the advances shall be returned to the Company to the extent the underwriters’ out-of-pocket accountable expenses are not actually incurred in accordance with FINRA Rule 5110(g)(4)(A).

 

In addition, we agreed to pay the representative 1.0% of the gross proceeds of the offering for non-accountable expenses.

 

We estimate that expenses payable by us in connection with the offering of the Class B Ordinary Shares, other than the underwriting discounts and the representative’s non-accountable expenses referred to above, will be approximately $[    ] million.

 

Indemnification

 

We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act and liabilities arising from breaches of representations and warranties contained in the underwriting agreement, or to contribute to payments that the underwriters may be required to make in respect of those liabilities.

 

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Lock-Up Agreements

 

We have agreed that, without the prior written consent of the representative, subject to certain exceptions as described below, we will not, for a period from the date of this prospectus and for 180 days after the closing of this offering (the “Lock-up Period”):

 

offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any Class B Ordinary Shares of LZ Technology or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for the Class B Ordinary Shares, other than the Class B Ordinary Shares issued upon the exercise of stock options or warrants or the conversion of a security outstanding on the date of the closing of this public offering or the issuance by LZ Technology of any security under any existing equity compensation plan;
  
file or caused to be filed any registration statement with the SEC relating to the offering of any Class B Ordinary Shares or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for the Class B Ordinary Shares, other than any registration statement on Form S-8;
  
in connection with the registration of Class B Ordinary Shares issuable under any employee equity-based compensation plan, incentive plan, stock plan, dividend reinvestment plan adopted an approved by LZ Technology’s board of directors;
  
complete any offering of debt securities of the Company, other than entering into a line of credit with a traditional bank; or
  
enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the Class B Ordinary Shares, whether any such transaction described above is to be settled by delivery of the Class B Ordinary Shares or such other securities, in cash or otherwise.

 

During the Lock-up Period, our directors, executive officers, and any holders of outstanding Class B Ordinary Shares as of the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part have agreed, without the prior written consent of the representative, subject to limited exceptions, not to (i) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any Class B Ordinary Shares or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for the Class B Ordinary Shares, or (ii) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the Class B Ordinary Shares.

 

Right of First Refusal

 

We have granted the representative a right of first refusal, for a period of 12 months from the closing of the public offering, to act as sole investment banker, sole book-runner, and/or sole placement agent, at the representative’s sole discretion, for each and every future public and private equity and debt offering, including all equity linked financings, during such 12-month period, of the Company, or any successor to or any current or future subsidiary of the Company, on terms and conditions customary to the representative for each such transaction.

 

Listing

 

We have applied to list the Class B Ordinary Shares on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “LZMH.” We make no representation that such application will be approved or that the Class B Ordinary Shares will trade on such market either now or at any time in the future. However, we will not complete this offering unless Class B Ordinary Shares are listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market.

 

Electronic Distribution

 

A prospectus in electronic format may be made available on the internet sites or through other online services maintained by the underwriter, or by its affiliates. In those cases, prospective investors may view offering terms online and prospective investors may be allowed to place orders online. Other than the prospectus in electronic format, the information on the underwriter’s website is not part of this prospectus or the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, has not been approved and/or endorsed by us or the underwriter in its capacity as underwriter and should not be relied upon by investors.

 

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Stamp Taxes

 

If you purchase Class B Ordinary Shares offered in this prospectus, you may be required to pay stamp taxes and other charges under the laws and practices of the country of purchase, in addition to the offering price listed on the cover page of this prospectus.

 

Price Stabilization, Short Positions and Penalty Bids

 

In connection with the offering the underwriters may engage in stabilizing transactions, over-allotment transactions, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act:

 

Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum.

 

Over-allotment involves sales by the underwriters of shares in excess of the number of shares the underwriters are obligated to purchase, which creates a syndicate short position. The short position may be either a covered short position or a naked short position. In a covered short position, the number of Class B Ordinary Shares over-allotted by the underwriters is not greater than the number of Class B Ordinary Shares that may be purchased in the over-allotment option. In a naked short position, the number of Class B Ordinary Shares involved is greater than the number of Class B Ordinary Shares in the over-allotment option. The underwriters may close out any covered short position by either exercising the over-allotment option and/or purchasing Class B Ordinary Shares in the open market.

 

Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of Class B Ordinary Shares in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover syndicate short positions. In determining the source of Class B Ordinary Shares to close out the short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of Class B Ordinary Shares available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which it may purchase Class B Ordinary Shares through the over-allotment option. If the underwriters sell more Class B Ordinary Shares than could be covered by the over-allotment option, a naked short position, the position can only be closed out by buying Class B Ordinary Shares in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there could be downward pressure on the price of the Class B Ordinary Shares in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering.

 

Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when the Class B Ordinary Shares originally sold by the syndicate member is purchased in a stabilizing or syndicate covering transaction to cover syndicate short positions.

 

Passive market making makers in the shares who are the underwriters or prospective underwriters may, subject to limitations, make bids for or purchases of the Class B Ordinary Share until the time, if any, at which a stabilizing bid is made.

 

These stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of the Class B Ordinary Shares or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the Class B Ordinary Shares. As a result, the price of the Class B Ordinary Shares may be higher than the price that might otherwise exist in the open market. Neither we nor the underwriters make any representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of the Class B Ordinary Shares. In addition, neither we nor the underwriters make any representations that the underwriters will engage in these stabilizing transactions or that any transaction, once commenced, will not be discontinued without notice.

 

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No Prior Public Market

 

Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for the Class B Ordinary Shares and the offering price for the Class B Ordinary Shares will be determined through negotiations between us and the underwriters. Among the factors to be considered in these negotiations will be prevailing market conditions, our financial information, market valuations of other companies that we and the underwriters believe to be comparable to us, estimates of our business potential, the present state of our development and other factors deemed relevant.

 

We offer no assurances that the offering price will correspond to the price at which the Class B Ordinary Shares will trade in the public market subsequent to this offering or that an active trading market for the Class B Ordinary Shares will develop and continue after this offering.

 

Other Relationships

 

The underwriters and their respective affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, financing and brokerage activities. The underwriters and their affiliates may, from time to time, engage in transactions with and perform services for us in the ordinary course of their business for which they may receive customary fees and reimbursement of expenses. In the ordinary course of their various business activities, the underwriters and their affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own accounts and for the accounts of their customers, and such investment and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of our Company. The underwriters and their respective affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect to such securities or instruments and may at any time hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.

 

Offers Outside the United States

 

Other than in the United States, no action has been taken by us or the underwriters that would permit a public offering of the shares offered by this prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. The shares offered by this prospectus may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, nor may this prospectus or any other offering material or advertisements in connection with the offer and sale of any such shares be distributed or published in any jurisdiction, except under circumstances that will result in compliance with the applicable rules and regulations of that jurisdiction. Persons into whose possession this prospectus comes are advised to inform themselves about and to observe any restrictions relating to the offering and the distribution of this prospectus. This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any Class B Ordinary Shares offered by this prospectus in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or a solicitation is unlawful.

 

The underwriters are expected to make offers and sales both in and outside the United States through its selling agents. Any offers and sales in the United States will be conducted by broker-dealers registered with the SEC.

 

Australia

 

No placement document, prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document has been lodged with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (“ASIC”), in relation to the Underwritten Offering. This prospectus does not constitute a prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document under the Corporations Act 2001 (the “Corporations Act”), and does not purport to include the information required for a prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document under the Corporations Act. Any offer in Australia of the Class B Ordinary Shares may only be made to persons (the “Exempt Investors”) who are “sophisticated investors” (within the meaning of section 708(8) of the Corporations Act), “professional investors” (within the meaning of section 708(11) of the Corporations Act) or otherwise pursuant to one or more exemptions contained in section 708 of the Corporations Act so that it is lawful to offer the Class B Ordinary Shares without disclosure to investors under Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act. The Class B Ordinary Shares applied for by Exempt Investors in Australia must not be offered for sale in Australia in the period of 12 months after the date of allotment under the Underwritten Offering, except in circumstances where disclosure to investors under Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act would not be required pursuant to an exemption under section 708 of the Corporations Act or otherwise or where the offer is pursuant to a disclosure document which complies with Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act. Any person acquiring Class B Ordinary Shares must observe such Australian on-sale restrictions. This prospectus contains general information only and does not take account of the investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs of any particular person. It does not contain any Class B Ordinary Shares recommendations or financial product advice. Before making an investment decision, investors need to consider whether the information in this prospectus is appropriate to their needs, objectives and circumstances, and, if necessary, seek expert advice on those matters.

 

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Bermuda

 

The Class B Ordinary Shares may be offered or sold in Bermuda only in compliance with the provisions of the Investment Business Act of 2003 of Bermuda which regulates the sale of securities in Bermuda. Additionally, non-Bermudian persons (including companies) may not carry on or engage in any trade or business in Bermuda unless such persons are permitted to do so under applicable Bermuda legislation.

 

British Virgin Islands

 

No invitation, whether directly or indirectly may be made to the public in the BVI to subscribe for our Ordinary Shares This prospectus does not constitute a public offer of the Ordinary Shares, whether by way of sale or subscription, in the BVI. Each underwriter has represented and agreed that it has not offered or sold, and will not offer or sell, directly or indirectly, any Ordinary Shares to the public in the BVI.

 

Canada

 

The Ordinary Shares may be sold only to purchasers purchasing, or deemed to be purchasing, as principal that are accredited investors, as defined in National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions or subsection 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario), and are permitted clients, as defined in National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations. Any resale of the Ordinary Shares must be made in accordance with an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the prospectus requirements of applicable securities laws.

 

Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if this prospectus supplement (including any amendment thereto) contains a misrepresentation, provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory. The purchaser should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory for particulars of these rights or consult with a legal advisor.

 

Pursuant to section 3A.3 of National Instrument 33-105 Underwriting Conflicts (NI 33-105), the underwriters are not required to comply with the disclosure requirements of NI 33-105 regarding underwriter conflicts of interest in connection with this offering.

 

Cayman Islands

 

No invitation, whether directly or indirectly may be made to the public in the Cayman Islands to subscribe for our Ordinary Shares. This prospectus does not constitute a public offer of the Ordinary Shares, whether by way of sale or subscription, in the Cayman Islands. Each underwriter has represented and agreed that it has not offered or sold, and will not offer or sell, directly or indirectly, any Ordinary Shares to the public in the Cayman Islands.

 

Dubai International Financial Center

 

This document relates to an exempt offer in accordance with the Offered Securities Rules of the Dubai Financial Services Authority. This document is intended for distribution only to persons of a type specified in those rules. It must not be delivered to, or relied on by, any other person. The Dubai Financial Services Authority has no responsibility for reviewing or verifying any documents in connection with exempt offers. The Dubai Financial Services Authority has not approved this document nor taken steps to verify the information set out in it, and has no responsibility for it. The Class B Ordinary Shares which are the subject of the Underwritten Offering contemplated by this document may be illiquid and/or subject to restrictions on their resale. Prospective purchasers of the Class B Ordinary Shares offered should conduct their own due diligence on the Class B Ordinary Shares. If you do not understand the contents of this document, you should consult an authorized financial advisor.

 

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European Economic Area

 

In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area which has implemented the Prospectus Directive (each, a Relevant Member State), each underwriter represents and agrees that with effect from and including the date on which the Prospectus Directive is implemented in that Relevant Member State, it has not made and will not make an offer of Class B Ordinary Shares which are the subject of the Underwritten Offering contemplated by this prospectus to the public in that Relevant Member State other than:

 

  to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined in the Prospectus Directive;
     
  to fewer than 100 or, if the Relevant Member State has implemented the relevant provision of the 2010 PD Amending Directive, 150, natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined in the Prospectus Directive), as permitted under the Prospectus Directive, subject to obtaining the prior consent of the representatives for any such offer; or
     
  in any other circumstances falling within Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive, provided that no such offer of Class B Ordinary Shares shall require us or any underwriter to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive.

 

For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer to the public” in relation to any Class B Ordinary Shares in any Relevant Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the Class B Ordinary Shares to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe the Class B Ordinary Shares, as the same may be varied in that Member State by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that Member State, the expression Prospectus Directive means Directive 2003/71/EC (and amendments thereto, including the 2010 PD Amending Directive, to the extent implemented in the Relevant Member State), and includes any relevant implementing measure in the Relevant Member State and the expression “2010 PD Amending Directive” means Directive 2010/73/EU.

 

United Kingdom

 

Each of the underwriters severally represents warrants and agrees as follows:

 

it has only communicated or caused to be communicated and will only communicate or cause to be communicated an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (FSMA) received by it in connection with the issue or sale of the Class B Ordinary Shares in circumstances in which Section 21 of the FSMA does not apply to us; and

 

it has complied with, and will comply with all applicable provisions of the FSMA with respect to anything done by it in relation to the Class B Ordinary Shares in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom.

 

France

 

Neither this prospectus nor any other offering material relating to the Class B Ordinary Shares described in this prospectus has been submitted to the clearance procedures of the Autorité des Marchés Financiers or of the competent authority of another member state of the European Economic Area and notified to the Autorité des Marchés Financiers. The Class B Ordinary Shares have not been offered or sold and will not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, to the public in France. Neither this prospectus nor any other offering material relating to the Class B Ordinary Shares has been or will be:

 

  to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined in the Prospectus Directive;
     
  to fewer than 100 or, if the relevant member state has implemented the relevant provision of the 2010 PD Amending Directive, 150 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined in the Prospectus Directive), as permitted under the Prospectus Directive, subject to obtaining the prior consent of the relevant Dealer or Dealers nominated by us for any such offer; or
     
  in any other circumstances falling within Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive;
     
  released, issued, distributed or caused to be released, issued or distributed to the public in France; or
     
  used in connection with any offer for subscription or sale of the Class B Ordinary Shares to the public in France.

 

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Such offers, sales and distributions will be made in France only:

 

  to qualified investors (investisseurs qualifiés) and/or to a restricted circle of investors (cercle restreint d’investisseurs), in each case investing for their own account, all as defined in, and in accordance with articles L.411-2, D.411-1, D.411-2, D.734-1, D.744-1, D.754-1 and D.764-1 of the French Code monétaire et financier;
     
  to investment services providers authorized to engage in portfolio management on behalf of third parties; or
     
  in a transaction that, in accordance with article L.411-2-II-1°-or-2°-or 3° of the French Code monétaire et financier and article 211-2 of the General Regulations (Règlement Général) of the Autorité des Marchés Financiers, does not constitute a public offer (appel public à l’épargne).

 

The Class B Ordinary Shares may be resold directly or indirectly, only in compliance with articles L.411-1, L.411-2, L.412-1 and L.621-8 through L.621-8-3 of the French Code monétaire et financier.

 

Germany

 

This prospectus does not constitute a Prospectus Directive-compliant prospectus in accordance with the German Securities Prospectus Act (Wertpapierprospektgesetz) and does therefore not allow any public offering in the Federal Republic of Germany (“Germany”) or any other Relevant Member State pursuant to § 17 and § 18 of the German Securities Prospectus Act. No action has been or will be taken in Germany that would permit a public offering of the Class B Ordinary Shares, or distribution of a prospectus or any other offering material relating to the Class B Ordinary Shares. In particular, no securities prospectus (Wertpapierprospekt) within the meaning of the German Securities Prospectus Act or any other applicable laws of Germany, has been or will be published within Germany, nor has this prospectus been filed with or approved by the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht) for publication within Germany.

 

Each underwriter will represent, agree and undertake, (i) that it has not offered, sold or delivered and will not offer, sell or deliver the Class B Ordinary Shares within Germany other than in accordance with the German Securities Prospectus Act (Wertpapierprospektgesetz) and any other applicable laws in Germany governing the issue, sale and offering of Class B Ordinary Shares, and (ii) that it will distribute in Germany any offering material relating to the Class B Ordinary Shares only under circumstances that will result in compliance with the applicable rules and regulations of Germany.

 

This prospectus is strictly for use of the person who has received it. It may not be forwarded to other persons or published in Germany.

 

Hong Kong

 

The Class B Ordinary Shares may not be offered or sold in Hong Kong by means of any document other than (i) to “professional investors” as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571) of Hong Kong and any rules made under that Ordinance, or (ii) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” as defined in the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32) of Hong Kong or which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of that Ordinance. No advertisement, invitation or document relating to the Class B Ordinary Shares may be issued or may be in the possession of any person for the purpose of issue, whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere, which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public of Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the securities laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to Class B Ordinary Shares which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance and any rules made under that Ordinance.

 

Israel

 

This prospectus does not constitute a prospectus under the Israeli Securities Law, 5728-1968, and has not been filed with or approved by the Israel Securities Authority. In Israel, this prospectus is being distributed only to, and is directed only at, investors listed in the first addendum, or the Addendum, to the Israeli Securities Law, consisting primarily of joint investment in trust funds, provident funds, insurance companies, banks, portfolio managers, investment advisors, members of the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, underwriters purchasing for their own account, venture capital funds, entities with equity in excess of NIS 50 million and qualified individuals, each as defined in the Addendum (as it may be amended from time to time), collectively referred to as qualified investors. Qualified investors may be required to submit written confirmation that they meet the criteria for one of the categories of investors set forth in the prospectus.

 

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Italy

 

The Underwritten Offering of Class B Ordinary Shares has not been registered with the Commissione Nazionale per le Società e la Borsa(“CONSOB”) pursuant to Italian securities legislation and, accordingly, no Class B Ordinary Shares may be offered, sold or delivered, nor copies of this prospectus or any other documents relating to the Class B Ordinary Shares may not be distributed in Italy except:

 

  to “qualified investors”, as referred to in Article 100 of Legislative Decree No. 58 of 24 February 1998, as amended (the “Decree No. 58”) and defined in Article 26, paragraph 1, letter d) of CONSOB Regulation No. 16190 of 29 October 2007, as amended (“Regulation No. 16190”) pursuant to Article 34-ter, paragraph 1, letter b) of CONSOB Regulation No. 11971 of 14 May 1999, as amended (“Regulation No. 11971”); or
     
  in any other circumstances where an express exemption from compliance with the offer restrictions applies, as provided under Decree No. 58 or Regulation No. 11971.

 

Any offer, sale or delivery of the Class B Ordinary Shares or distribution of copies of this prospectus or any other documents relating to the Class B Ordinary Shares in the Republic of Italy must be:

 

  made by investment firms, banks or financial intermediaries permitted to conduct such activities in the Republic of Italy in accordance with Legislative Decree No. 385 of 1 September 1993, as amended (the “Banking Law”), Decree No. 58 and Regulation No. 16190 and any other applicable laws and regulations;
     
  in compliance with Article 129 of the Banking Law, and the implementing guidelines of the Bank of Italy, as amended; and
     
  in compliance with any other applicable notification requirement or limitation which may be imposed, from time to time, by CONSOB or the Bank of Italy or other competent authority.

 

Please note that, in accordance with Article 100-bis of Decree No. 58, where no exemption from the rules on public offerings applies, the subsequent distribution of the Class B Ordinary Shares on the secondary market in Italy must be made in compliance with the public offer and the prospectus requirement rules provided under Decree No. 58 and Regulation No. 11971.

 

Furthermore, the Class B Ordinary Shares which are initially offered and placed in Italy or abroad to qualified investors only but in the following year are regularly (“sistematicamente”) distributed on the secondary market in Italy to non-qualified investors become subject to the public offer and the prospectus requirement rules provided under Decree No. 58 and Regulation No. 11971. Failure to comply with such rules may result in the sale of the Class B Ordinary Shares being declared null and void and in the liability of the intermediary transferring the Class B Ordinary Shares for any damages suffered by such non-qualified investors.

 

Japan

 

The Class B Ordinary Shares have not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan (Law No. 25 of 1948, as amended) and accordingly, will not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in Japan, or for the benefit of any Japanese Person or to others for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to any Japanese Person, except in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations and ministerial guidelines promulgated by relevant Japanese governmental or regulatory authorities in effect at the relevant time. For the purposes of this paragraph, “Japanese Person” shall mean any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan.

 

Kuwait

 

Unless all necessary approvals from the Kuwait Ministry of Commerce and Industry required by Law No. 31/1990 “Regulating the Negotiation of Securities and Establishment of Investment Funds,” its Executive Regulations and the various Ministerial Orders issued pursuant thereto or in connection therewith, have been given in relation to the marketing and sale of the Class B Ordinary Shares, these may not be marketed, offered for sale, nor sold in the State of Kuwait. Neither this prospectus (including any related document), nor any of the information contained therein is intended to lead to the conclusion of any contract of whatsoever nature within Kuwait.

 

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Malaysia

 

No prospectus or other offering material or document in connection with the offer and sale of the shares has been or will be registered with the Securities Commission of Malaysia, or Commission, for the Commission’s approval pursuant to the Capital Markets and Services Act 2007. Accordingly, this prospectus and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the shares may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the shares be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Malaysia other than (i) a closed end fund approved by the Commission; (ii) a holder of a Capital Markets Services License; (iii) a person who acquires the shares, as principal, if the offer is on terms that the shares may only be acquired at a consideration of not less than RM250,000 (or its equivalent in foreign currencies) for each transaction; (iv) an individual whose total net personal assets or total net joint assets with his or her spouse exceeds RM3 million (or its equivalent in foreign currencies), excluding the value of the primary residence of the individual; (v) an individual who has a gross annual income exceeding RM300,000 (or its equivalent in foreign currencies) per annum in the preceding 12 months; (vi) an individual who, jointly with his or her spouse, has a gross annual income of RM400,000 (or its equivalent in foreign currencies), per annum in the preceding 12 months; (vii) a corporation with total net assets exceeding RM10 million (or its equivalent in a foreign currencies) based on the last audited accounts; (viii) a partnership with total net assets exceeding RM10 million (or its equivalent in foreign currencies); (ix) a bank licensee or insurance licensee as defined in the Labuan Financial Services and Securities Act 2010; (x) an Islamic bank licensee or takaful licensee as defined in the Labuan Financial Services and Securities Act 2010; and (xi) any other person as may be specified by the Commission; provided that, in the each of the preceding categories (i) to (xi), the distribution of the shares is made by a holder of a Capital Markets Services License who carries on the business of dealing in securities. The distribution in Malaysia of this prospectus is subject to Malaysian laws. This prospectus does not constitute and may not be used for the purpose of public offering or an issue, offer for subscription or purchase, invitation to subscribe for or purchase any securities requiring the registration of a prospectus with the Commission under the Capital Markets and Services Act 2007.

 

PRC

 

This prospectus has not been and will not be circulated or distributed in the PRC, and the Class B Ordinary Shares may not be offered or sold, and will not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, to any resident of the PRC or to persons for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, to any resident of the PRC except pursuant to applicable laws and regulations of the PRC. For the purpose of this paragraph, the PRC does not include Taiwan and the Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macao.

 

Qatar

 

The Class B Ordinary Shares have not been and will not be offered, sold or delivered at any time, directly or indirectly, in the State of Qatar (“Qatar”) in a manner that would constitute a public offering. This prospectus has not been reviewed or approved by or registered with the Qatar Central Bank, the Qatar Exchange or the Qatar Financial Markets Authority. This prospectus is strictly private and confidential, and may not be reproduced or used for any other purpose, nor provided to any person other than the recipient thereof.

 

Saudi Arabia

 

This prospectus may not be distributed in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia except to such persons as are permitted under the Offers of Securities Regulations issued by the Capital Market Authority. The Capital Market Authority does not make any representation as to the accuracy or completeness of this prospectus, and expressly disclaims any liability whatsoever for any loss arising from, or incurred in reliance upon, any part of this prospectus. Prospective purchasers of the securities offered hereby should conduct their own due diligence on the accuracy of the information relating to the securities. If you do not understand the contents of this prospectus you should consult an authorized financial adviser.

 

Singapore

 

This prospectus has not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, this prospectus and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of Class B Ordinary Shares may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the Class B Ordinary Shares be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than

 

  to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore (the “SFA”),
     
  to a relevant person pursuant to Section 275(1), or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275, of the SFA, or
     
  otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA.

 

149

 

 

Where the Class B Ordinary Shares are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 of the SFA by a relevant person which is:

 

  a corporation (which is not an accredited investor (as defined in Section 4A of the SFA)) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor; or

  

  a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary of the trust is an individual who is an accredited investor, securities (as defined in Section 239(1) of the SFA) of that corporation or the beneficiaries’ rights and interest (howsoever described) in that trust shall not be transferred within six months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the Class B Ordinary Shares pursuant to an offer made under Section 275 of the SFA except:

 

  (a) to an institutional investor or to a relevant person defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA, or to any person arising from an offer referred to in Section 275(1A) or Section 276(4)(i)(B) of the SFA;
     
  (b) where no consideration is or will be given for the transfer;
     
  (c) where the transfer is by operation of law;
     
  (d) as specified in Section 276(7) of the SFA; or
     
  (e) as specified in Regulation 32 of the Securities and Futures (Offers of Investments) (Shares and Debentures) Regulations 2005 of Singapore.

 

Switzerland

 

This document is not intended to constitute an offer or solicitation to purchase or invest in the Class B Ordinary Shares described herein. The Class B Ordinary Shares may not be publicly offered, sold or advertised, directly or indirectly, in, into or from Switzerland and will not be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange or on any other exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. Neither this document nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the Class B Ordinary Shares constitutes a prospectus as such term is understood pursuant to article 652a or article 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations or a listing prospectus within the meaning of the listing rules of the SIX Swiss Exchange or any other regulated trading facility in Switzerland, and neither this document nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the Class B Ordinary Shares may be publicly distributed or otherwise made publicly available in Switzerland.

 

Neither this document nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the Underwritten Offering, nor the Company nor the Class B Ordinary Shares have been or will be filed with or approved by any Swiss regulatory authority. The Class B Ordinary Shares are not subject to the supervision by any Swiss regulatory authority, e.g., the Swiss Financial Markets Supervisory Authority FINMA (FINMA), and investors in the Class B Ordinary Shares will not benefit from protection or supervision by such authority.

 

Taiwan

 

The Class B Ordinary Shares have not been and will not be registered or filed with, or approved by, the Financial Supervisory Commission of Taiwan pursuant to relevant securities laws and regulations and may not be offered or sold in Taiwan through a public offering or in circumstances which constitute an offer within the meaning of the Securities and Exchange Act of Taiwan or relevant laws and regulations that require a registration, filing or approval of the Financial Supervisory Commission of Taiwan. No person or entity in Taiwan has been authorized to offer or sell the Class B Ordinary Shares in Taiwan.

 

150

 

 

United Arab Emirates

 

(Excluding the Dubai International Financial Center)

 

The Class B Ordinary Shares have not been, and are not being, publicly offered, sold, promoted or advertised in the United Arab Emirates (“U.A.E.”) other than in compliance with the laws of the U.A.E. Prospective investors in the Dubai International Financial Centre should have regard to the specific selling restrictions on prospective investors in the Dubai International Financial Centre set out below.

 

The information contained in this prospectus does not constitute a public offer of Class B Ordinary Shares in the U.A.E. in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law (Federal Law No. 8 of 1984 of the U.A.E., as amended) or otherwise and is not intended to be a public offer. This prospectus has not been approved by or filed with the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates, the Emirates Securities and Commodities Authority or the Dubai Financial Services Authority, or DFSA. If you do not understand the contents of this prospectus, you should consult an authorized financial adviser. This prospectus is provided for the benefit of the recipient only, and should not be delivered to, or relied on by, any other person.

 

We have not authorized and do not authorize the making of any offer of securities through any financial intermediary on our behalf, other than offers made by the underwriters and their respective affiliates, with a view to the final placement of the securities as contemplated in this document. Accordingly, no purchaser of the shares, other than the underwriters, is authorized to make any further offer of shares on our behalf or on behalf of the underwriters.

 

No action has been taken by us or the Representatives that would permit a public offering of the Class B Ordinary Shares in any jurisdiction outside the United States where action for that purpose is required. None of the Class B Ordinary Shares included in the Underwritten Offering may be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, nor may this prospectus or any other offering material or advertisements in connection with the offer and sales of any such securities offered hereby be distributed or published in any jurisdiction except under circumstances that will result in compliance with the applicable rules and regulations of that jurisdiction. Persons who receive this prospectus are advised to inform themselves about and to observe any restrictions relating to the Underwritten Offering of Class B Ordinary Shares and the distribution of this prospectus. This prospectus is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation of any offer to buy the Class B Ordinary Shares in any jurisdiction where that would not be permitted or legal.

 

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EXPENSES RELATED TO THIS OFFERING

 

Set forth below is an itemization of our total expenses, excluding underwriting discounts and the non-accountable expense allowance, which are expected to be incurred in connection with the offer and sale of the Class B Ordinary Shares by us. With the exception of the SEC registration fee, the FINRA filing fee and the Nasdaq listing fee, all amounts are estimates.

 

   Amount 
SEC registration fee  $8,856 
FINRA filing fee    11,210 
Nasdaq listing fee   5,000 
Accounting fees and expenses   * 
Legal fees and expenses   * 
Printing fees and expenses   * 
Miscellaneous   * 
TOTAL  $* 

 

* to provide by amendment

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

 

Certain legal matters as to the United States federal and New York law in connection with this offering will be passed upon for us by Bevilacqua PLLC. Certain legal matters as to the United States federal and New York law in connection with this offering will be passed upon for the underwriter by Hunter Taubman Fischer & Li LLC. The validity of the Class B Ordinary Shares offered in this offering and certain other legal matters as to Cayman Islands law will be passed upon for us by Conyers Dill & Pearman. Legal matters as to PRC laws will be passed upon for us by Hylands Law Firm, and for the underwriter by Jingtian & Gongcheng. Bevilacqua PLLC may rely upon Conyers Dill & Pearman with respect to matters governed by Cayman Islands law and Hylands Law Firm with respect to matters governed by PRC law. Hunter Taubman Fischer & Li LLC may rely upon Jingtian & Gongcheng with respect to matters governed by PRC law.

 

EXPERTS

 

Our consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2021 and 2022 and for the years then ended included in this prospectus have been audited by Marcum Asia CPAs LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report appearing herein. Such financial statements are included in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

The offices of Marcum Asia CPAs LLP are located at 7 Pennsylvania Plaza Suite 830, New York, NY 10001.

 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

 

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form F-1, including relevant exhibits and schedules, under the Securities Act with respect to the Class B Ordinary Shares to be sold in this offering. This prospectus, which constitutes a part of the registration statement, does not contain all of the information contained in the registration statement. You should read the registration statement on Form F-1 and its exhibits and schedules for further information with respect to us and the Class B Ordinary Shares.

 

Immediately upon completion of this offering, we will become subject to periodic reporting and other informational requirements of the Exchange Act as applicable to foreign private issuers. Accordingly, we will be required to file reports, including annual reports on Form 20-F, and other information with the SEC. The SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the SEC. The address of the website is www.sec.gov. Additionally, we will make these filings available, free of charge, on our website at http://lz-qs.com/ as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such materials with, or furnish them to, the SEC. The information on our website, other than these filings, is not, and should not be, considered part of this prospectus and is not incorporated by reference into this document.

 

As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from the rules of the Exchange Act prescribing the furnishing and content of proxy statements to shareholders, and our executive officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and short-swing profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act. In addition, we will not be required under the Exchange Act to file periodic reports and financial statements with the SEC as frequently or as promptly as U.S. companies whose securities are registered under the Exchange Act.

 

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INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

CONTENTS   PAGE(S)
     
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2022 AND JUNE 30, 2023 (UNAUDITED)   F-2
     
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS)/INCOME FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2022 AND 2023   F-3
     
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN (DEFICIT)/EQUITY FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2022 AND 2023   F-4
     
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2022 AND 2023   F-5
     
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS   F-6

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM (PCAOB ID 5395)   F-23
     
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND 2022   F-24
     
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND 2022   F-25
     
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ (DEFICITS)/EQUITY FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND 2022   F-26
     
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND 2022   F-27
     
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS   F-28

 

F-1

 

 

LZ TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LIMITED

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except share and per share data or otherwise noted)

 

   As of December 31,   As of June 30, 
   2022   2023   2023 
   RMB   RMB   US$ Note 3 (d) 
       Unaudited 
ASSETS            
Current assets            
Cash and cash equivalents   6,982    18,393    2,537 
Accounts receivable, net   44,617    137,623    18,979 
Advance to suppliers   794    3,024    417 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets, net   5,627    7,912    1,091 
Deferred offering costs   554    1,523    210 
Amounts due from related parties   25,653    24,836    3,425 
Total current assets   84,227    193,311    26,659 
                
Non-current assets               
Property and equipment, net   34,217    30,377    4,189 
Intangible assets, net   4,030    3,556    490 
Total non-current assets   38,247    33,933    4,679 
                
TOTAL ASSETS   122,474    227,244    31,338 
                
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY               
Current liabilities               
Short-term borrowings   43,904    31,513    4,346 
Accounts payable   32,276    113,450    15,645 
Contract liabilities   445    3,290    454 
Income tax payable   -    926    128 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities   4,132    9,403    1,297 
Amounts due to related parties   26,841    38,452    5,303 
Total current liabilities   107,598    197,034    27,173 
                
TOTAL LIABILITIES   107,598    197,034    27,173 
                
Commitments and contingencies (Note 12)               
                
Shareholders’ equity               
Class A ordinary shares (par value of US$0.0001 per share; 20,000,000 Class A ordinary shares authorized, 9,589,248 Class A ordinary shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2022 and June 30, 2023, respectively) *   7    7    1 
Class B ordinary shares (par value of US$0.0001 per share; 480,000,000 Class B ordinary shares authorized, 52,471,800 and 54,282,402 Class B ordinary shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2022 and June 30, 2023, respectively) *   36    39    5 
Additional paid in capital   168,144    181,568    25,039 
Accumulated deficit   (154,269)   (153,290)   (21,140)
Total LZ Technology Holdings Limited shareholders’ equity   13,918    28,324    3,905 
Non-controlling interests   958    1,886    260 
Total equity   14,876    30,210    4,165 
                
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY   122,474    227,244    31,338 

 

*The shares and per share information are presented on a retroactive basis to reflect the reorganization.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

F-2

 

 

LZ TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LIMITED

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS)/INCOME

(In thousands, except share and per share data or otherwise noted)

 

 

   For the six months ended June 30, 
   2022   2023   2023 
   RMB   RMB   US$ Note 3 (d) 
Revenues:            
Revenues from services   42,149    163,187    22,505 
Revenues from sales of products   35    27,099    3,737 
Total revenues   42,184    190,286    26,242 
Cost of revenues:               
Cost of services   (35,335)   (146,648)   (20,224)
Cost of goods sold   -    (26,164)   (3,608)
Total Cost of revenues   (35,335)   (172,812)   (23,832)
Gross profit   6,849    17,474    2,410 
                
Operating expenses               
Selling and marketing expenses   (7,919)   (8,437)   (1,164)
General and administrative expenses   (4,953)   (5,524)   (765)
Research and development expenses   (3,498)   (3,098)   (427)
Total operating expenses   (16,370)   (17,059)   (2,356)
                
Operating (loss)/profit   (9,521)   415    54 
                
Other income, net               
Financial income/(expenses), net   40    (159)   (22)
Income from disposal of long-term investments   184    -    - 
Input VAT additional deduction income   -    1,872    258 
Other income, net   305    131    18 
Total other income, net   529    1,844    254 
                
(Loss)/income before income tax expenses   (8,992)   2,259    308 
Income tax expenses   (1)   (926)   (128)
Net (loss)/income   (8,993)   1,333    180 
Less: net (loss)/income attributable to non-controlling interests   (702)   72    10 
Net (loss)/income attributable to LZ Technology Holdings Limited’s ordinary shareholders   (8,291)   1,261    170 
                
Total comprehensive (loss)/income   (8,993)   1,333    180 
Less: total comprehensive (loss)/income attributable to non-controlling interests   (702)   72    10 
Comprehensive (loss)/income attributable to LZ Technology Holdings Limited   (8,291)   1,261    170 
                
Net (loss)/earnings per share - Basic and diluted   (0.14)   0.02    0.00 
                
Weighted average shares outstanding used in calculating basic and diluted loss per share   58,051,231    62,491,605    62,491,605 

 

*The shares and per share information are presented on a retroactive basis to reflect the reorganization.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

F-3

 

 

LZ TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LIMITED

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN (DEFICIT)/EQUITY

(In thousands, except share and per share data or otherwise noted)

 

   Class A Ordinary
shares
   Class B Ordinary
shares
   Additional paid-in   Accumulated   Total LZ Technology shareholders’   Non-controlling   Total 
   Share  

Amount

   Share  

Amount

   capital   Deficit   (deficit)/equity  

interests

   (deficit)/equity 
   RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB 
Balance as of December 31, 2021   9,589,248    7    48,445,122    33    112,373    (139,925)   (27,512)   (1,907)   (29,419)
Net loss   -    -    -    -    -    (8,291)   (8,291)   (702)   (8,993)
Contribution from shareholders   -    -    3,051,910    3    17,547    (518)   17,032    3,054    20,086 
Debt-to-equity conversion   -    -    -    -    24,460    -    24,460    -    24,460 
Balance as of June 30, 2022 (Unaudited)   9,589,248    7    51,497,032    36    154,380    (148,734)   5,689    445    6,134 
                                              
Balance as of December 31, 2022   9,589,248    7    52,471,800    36    168,144    (154,269)   13,918    958    14,876 
Net income   -    -    -    -    -    1,261    1,261    72    1,333 
Contribution from shareholders   -    -    1,810,602    3    7,975    (282)   7,696    856    8,552 
Debt-to-equity conversion   -    -    -    -    5,449    -    5,449    -    5,449 
Balance as of June 30, 2023 (Unaudited)   9,589,248    7    54,282,402    39    181,568    (153,290)   28,324    1,886    30,210 
Balance as of June 30, 2023(US$) (Unaudited)   9,589,248    1    54,282,402    5    25,039    (21,140)   3,905    260    4,165 

 

*The shares and per share information are presented on a retroactive basis to reflect the reorganization.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

F-4

 

 

LZ TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LIMITED

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands, except share and per share data or otherwise noted)

 

   For the six months ended June 30, 
   2022   2023   2023 
   RMB   RMB   US$ Note 3 (d) 
Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities   7,020    (3,310)   (455)
                
Cash flows from investing activities:               
Purchase of property and equipment   (380)   (464)   (64)
Purchase of intangible assets   (4,742)   -    - 
Loans to related parties   (999)   (7,031)   (970)
Collection of loans to related parties   24,345    7,692    1,061 
Net cash provided by investing activities   18,224    197    27 
                
Cash flows from financing activities:               
Repayments of borrowings   (6,498)   (3,626)   (500)
Payment for deferred offering cost   -    (969)   (134)
Proceeds of loans from related parties   33    33,576    4,630 
Repayment of loans from related parties   (32,880)   (23,009)   (3,173)
Proceeds from capital injection   20,086    8,552    1,179 
Other financing activities   (89)   -    - 
Net cash (used in)/provided by financing activities   (19,348)   14,524    2,002 
                
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents:   5,896    11,411    1,574 
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of year   5,134    6,982    963 
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of year   11,030    18,393    2,537 
                
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:               
Income tax paid   -    -    - 
Interest paid   4    162    22 
                
Supplemental schedule of non-cash financing activities:               
Debt-to-equity conversion   24,460    5,449    751 
Obtaining right-of-use assets in exchange for operating lease liabilities and prepaid expenses   114    -    - 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

F-5

 

 

LZ TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LIMITED

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data)

 

1. Organization and principal activities

 

LZ Technology Holdings Limited (“LZ Technology”, “Company”) was incorporated under the law of the Cayman Islands as an exempted company with limited liability on November 23, 2022. The Company is a holding company and conducts its businesses primarily through its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Group”). The Group is an integrated advertising and promotion service provider with principal operations and geographic markets in the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”).

 

In preparation for its IPO, the Group conducted a reorganization (the “Reorganization”) from November 2022 to August 2023, which has been treated as a corporate restructuring (reorganization) of entities under common control and thus the capital structure has been retroactively presented in prior periods as if such structure existed at that time, the entities under common control are presented on a combined basis for all periods to which such entities were under common control.

 

2. Liquidity

 

The Group’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and liquidation of liabilities during the normal course of operations. The Group incurred net losses from operations of RMB9,521 for the six months ended June 30, 2022, and had net profits from operations of RMB415 for the six months ended June 30, 2023, respectively. Net cash provided by operating activities was RMB7,020 for the six months ended June 30, 2022, and net cash used by operating activities was RMB3,310 for the six months ended June 30, 2023. As of June 30, 2023, the Group’s accumulated deficits were RMB153,290, with a working capital deficit of RMB3,723, and the Group had cash and cash equivalents of RMB18,393. The Group’s operating results for future periods are subject to numerous uncertainties. It is uncertain if the Group will be able to reduce or eliminate its net losses for the foreseeable future. Such conditions and events cast substantial doubt on the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern.

 

The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the Group’s business operations for the past two years. However, the management expects that the operating results will be improved as the economy has gradually recovered from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Besides, management has developed business plans to mitigate the above adverse conditions and events, including obtaining funds amounting to RMB64,503 from two investors as capital injection, and a credit facility of RMB10,000 within ten-year term from a bank as borrowings, which will be sufficient to meet anticipated working capital requirements and capital expenditures within the next 12 months from the issuance date of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. Moreover, the Group has proactively taken actions to fundamentally optimize its overall cost structure by upgrading its business and service model and implementing other cost control measures. Actions include standardizing the Group’s finance and operation policies throughout the Group, enhancing internal controls, and creating a synergy of the Group’s resources. Taking into consideration all these actions mentioned above, management concluded that the substantial doubt on the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern will be alleviated through the effective implementation of the business plans.

 

3. Summary of significant accounting policies

 

(a) Basis of presentation

 

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) to reflect the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Group. Significant accounting policies followed by the Group in the preparation of the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements are summarized below. All amounts, except for share, per share data or otherwise noted, are rounded to the nearest thousand. The unaudited interim financial information should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and the notes thereto, included in the registration statements for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021.

 

In the opinion of the management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all normal recurring adjustments, which are necessary for a fair statement of financial results for the interim periods presented. The Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared using the same accounting policies as used in the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2022. The results of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2023 are not necessarily indicative of the results for the full year.

 

(b) Principles of consolidation

 

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries. All transactions and balances among the Group have been eliminated upon consolidation. All intercompany transactions and balances among the Group have been eliminated upon consolidation.

 

F-6

 

 

LZ TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LIMITED

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data)

 

3. Summary of significant accounting policies – Continued

 

(c) Use of estimates

 

The preparation of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the balance sheet date, and the reported revenues and expenses during the reported periods in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Significant accounting estimates include, but not limited to revenue recognition, allowance for doubtful accounts, useful lives and impairment of long-lived assets, accounting for deferred income taxes and valuation allowance for deferred tax assets. Changes in facts and circumstances may result in revised estimates. Actual results could differ from those estimates, and as such, differences may be material to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

(d) Convenience translation

 

Amounts in US$ are presented for the convenience of the reader and are translated at the rate of US$1.00 RMB7.2513, representing the noon buying rate set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the U.S. Federal Reserve Board on June 30, 2023. No representation is made that the RMB amounts could have been, or could be, converted, realized or settled into US$ at that rate, or at any other rate.

 

(e) Accounts receivable, net

 

Accounts receivable is stated at the original amount less an allowance for doubtful receivable. Accounts receivable is recognized in the period when the Group has provided services to its customers and when its right to consideration is unconditional. In January 1, 2023, the Group adopted ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement on Credit Losses on Financial Instruments”, including certain subsequent amendments, transitional guidance and other interpretive guidance within ASU 2018-19.ASU 2019-04, ASU 2019-05, ASU 2019-11, ASU 2020-02 and ASU 2020-03 (collectively, including ASU 2016-13,“ASC 326”). ASC 326 introduces an approach based on expected losses to estimate the allowance for doubtful accounts, which replaces the previous incurred loss impairment model. The Group’s estimation of allowance for doubtful accounts considers factors such as historical credit loss experience, age of receivable balances, current market conditions, reasonable and supportable forecasts of future economic conditions, as well as an assessment of receivables due from specific identifiable counterparties to determine whether these receivables are considered at risk or uncollectible. The Group reviews the accounts receivable on a periodic basis and makes general and specific allowances when there is doubt as to the collectability of individual balances. The Group considers factors in assessing the collectability of its receivables, such as the age of the amounts due, the customer’s payment history, credit-worthiness and other specific circumstances related to the accounts. An allowance for doubtful accounts is recorded in the period in which a loss is determined to be probable. Accounts receivable balances are written off after all collection efforts have been exhausted.

 

The allowance for doubtful accounts as of December 31, 2022 and June 30, 2023 was RMB268 and RMB268 (US$37.0), respectively.

 

(f) Revenue recognition

 

The Group’s revenues are mainly generated from Out-of-Home Advertising, Local Life – E-Commerce Promotion services and Local Life-Retail Sales.

 

The Group recognizes revenues pursuant to ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”). In accordance with ASC 606, revenues from contracts with customers are recognized when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to the Group’s customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration the Group expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services, reduced by value added tax (“VAT”). To achieve the core principle of this standard, the Group applies the following five steps:

 

1.Identification of the contract, or contracts, with the customer;
2.Identification of the performance obligations in the contract;
3.Determination of the transaction price;
4.Allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and
5.Recognition of the revenue when, or as, a performance obligation is satisfied.

 

Each of significant performance obligations and the application of ASC 606 to the Group’s revenue arrangements are discussed in further detail below.

 

F-7

 

 

LZ TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LIMITED

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data)

 

3. Summary of significant accounting policies – Continued

 

Out-of-Home Advertising

 

The Group primarily generates revenues from providing Out-of-Home Advertising (i.e. advertising promotion) by displaying advertisements in its own community access control devices (“Channel One”) or via other channels provided by subcontractors (“Channel Two”). The arrangements might include advertising only on Channel One, or on both. The Group can benefit from advertising promotion provided through each channel promised in the contract on their own. Besides, the Group’s promise to perform services through each channel is separately identifiable from other promises in the contract. Therefore, Channel One and Channel Two are considered distinct and should be regarded as two performance obligations. The Group adopts the output method, using a time-elapsed basis ratably over the period from the beginning to the end of the advertising schedule, to measure progress as the fees are fixed for each advertising schedule and the advertisements are displayed evenly throughout the advertising schedule. The Group applies the expected cost plus a margin approach to estimate the standalone selling price for each performance obligation as there is no directly observable standalone selling price or similar market selling price.

 

Revenues generated from Channel One were RMB26,889 and RMB96,727 for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2023, respectively. Revenues generated from Channel Two were RMB8,352 and RMB56,893 for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2023, respectively.

 

The Group considers itself the principal for transactions and recognizes revenues on a gross basis due to the Group’s: i) control of establishing the transaction price, irrespective of subcontracting costs; ii) direct engagement with the customer and having sole responsibility for fulfilling the promises to provide advertising promotion, as well as its ability to subcontract based on its arrangements with or display effect/design requirement of the customers; iii) being liable for the actions of the subcontractors for unsatisfied deliverables, including services performed by subcontractors; and iv) payment being paid to subcontractors regardless of receipt from customers.

 

Local Life-E-commerce promotion services

 

The Group also generates revenues by providing e-commerce promotion service to merchants through different channels operated by the Group, such as (1) WeChat mini programs operated by Henduoka and (2) self-owned official accounts on the third party’s platforms like WeChat or TikTok. For this type of service, the Group only identifies one performance obligation, which is to assist merchants to promote vouchers through e-commerce platforms, as services provided within each contract are considered a series of distinct goods that are substantially the same and that have the same pattern of transfer to customers. The Group adopts the practical expedient that allows it to recognize revenue in the amount to which the Group has a right to invoice the customer, as that amount corresponds directly with the value to the customer of the Group’s performance completed to date.

 

The Group considers itself the agent as (i) the inventory risk is controlled by the merchant, and (ii) the pricing right of the vouchers sold is controlled by the merchant. Therefore, such revenues are reported on a net basis, which are recognized based on a pre-determined percentage of the selling price for the merchandise purchased using redeemed vouchers (the fees earned from the merchant).

 

Local Life-Retail Sales

 

Local Life-Retail Sales include sales of diversified products, such as alcohol, travel packages, groceries and so on. There is only one performance obligation to provide customer the specific products explicitly stated in a sales contract at a fixed price. The Group recognizes revenue from Local Life-Retail Sales at a point in time when the control of the products is transferred to the customer upon the customer’s acceptance of products.

 

The Group considers itself the principal for transactions and recognizes revenues on a gross basis due to the Group’s: i) primary responsibility in the aspect of ensuring the products qualified as to the agreed-upon requirements and the provision of after-sales service like solving problems and complaints; ii) inventory risk of products due to factors such as physical damage during transit, decline in value, and credit risk of services as the Group is obliged to pay to suppliers irrespective of whether the customers pay the consideration to the Group; and iii) discretion in setting up the price, rather than accepting a fixed percentage of transaction amount imposed by the supplier.

 

F-8

 

 

LZ TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LIMITED

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data)

 

3. Summary of significant accounting policies – Continued

 

Others

 

The Group also provides other services including advertisement design and production, operation service for the merchants’ online account, software development, devices sales and so on. The Group mainly recognizes the revenue at the fixed price at the time when the performance obligation is satisfied.

 

The following table disaggregates the Group’s revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2023:

 

   For the six months ended
June 30,
 
   2022   2023 
   RMB   RMB 
   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited) 
By revenue type:        
Advertising promotion services   35,079    153,543 
Local Life-E-commerce promotion services   3,715    2,163 
Local Life-Retail Sales   35    27,099 
Others   3,355    7,481 
Total   42,184    190,286 

 

Contract assets and liabilities

 

Timing of revenue recognition may differ from the timing of invoicing the customers. Accounts receivable represent revenue recognized for the amounts invoiced and/or prior to invoicing when the Group has satisfied its performance obligation and has unconditional right to the payment. Contract assets represent the Group’s right to consideration in exchange for goods or services that the Group has transferred to a customer. The Group has no contract assets as of December 31, 2022 and June 30, 2023.

 

Contract liabilities represents the obligation to transfer goods or services to a customer for which the entity has received consideration from the customer. Contract liabilities of the Group mainly consist of advance payments from customers for advertising promotion. Contract liabilities related to advance payments from customers were RMB445 and RMB3,290 as of December 31, 2022 and June 30, 2023, respectively. Revenue of RMB230 and RMB262 was recognized from the deferred revenue balance at the beginning of the period for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2023, respectively. The Group expects to recognize this balance as revenue over the next 12 months.

 

(g) Recent accounting pronouncements

 

The Group is an “emerging growth company” (“EGC”) as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”). Under the JOBS Act, EGC can delay adopting new or revised accounting standards issued subsequent to the enactment of the JOBS Act until such time as those standards apply to private companies. The Group does not discuss recent standards that are not anticipated to have an impact on or are unrelated to its unaudited condensed consolidated financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or disclosures.

 

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, Income Taxes (“ASU 2019-12”), which simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing exceptions and simplifies the accounting for income taxes regarding franchise tax, good will, separate financial statements, enacted change in tax laws or rates and employee stock ownership plans. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021, including interim periods therein. Early adoption of the standard is permitted, including adoption in interim or annual periods for which financial statements have not yet been issued. The Group adopted the ASU from January 1, 2023, which did not have a material impact on the Group’s financial results or financial position.

 

4. Accounts receivable, net

 

Accounts receivable, net consists of the following:

 

   As of
December 31,
   As of
June 30,
 
   2022   2023 
   RMB   RMB 
       (Unaudited) 
Accounts receivable   44,885    137,891 
Less: allowance of doubtful accounts   (268)   (268)
Total accounts receivable, net   44,617    137,623 

 

The Group recorded bad debt expenses of nil for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2023, respectively.

 

F-9

 

 

LZ TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LIMITED

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data)

 

5. Prepaid expenses and other current assets, net

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets, net consist of the following:

 

   As of
December 31,
   As of
June 30,
 
   2022   2023 
   RMB   RMB 
       (Unaudited) 
Deductible input tax   5,119    5,952 
Prepaid expenses   543    1,757 
Deposits   296    538 
Others   205    201 
    6,163    8,448 
Less: allowance of doubtful accounts   (536)   (536)
Total prepaid expenses and other current assets, net   5,627    7,912 

 

(1)Prepaid expenses mainly represent prepaid commissions for promotion services, financing transaction, rent, water and electricity expenses, communication expenses, maintenance premiums, and other expenses related to the daily operation of the enterprise.

 

(2)Allowance of doubtful accounts mainly include unrecoverable advertising funds, compensation, etc. The Group recorded bad debt expenses of nil for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2023, respectively.

 

6. Property and equipment, net

 

Property and equipment, net consists of the following:

 

   As of
December 31,
   As of
June 30,
 
   2022   2023 
   RMB   RMB 
       (Unaudited) 
Machinery equipment   46,570    47,032 
Office Equipment   3,135    3,135 
Vehicle   713    713 
Gross amount   50,418    50,880 
Less: accumulated depreciation   (16,201)   (20,503)
Total property and Equipment, net   34,217    30,377 

 

(1)The balance represented the community access control devices that the Group installed but did not sell.

 

(2)Depreciation expenses of property and equipment for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2023 were RMB4,293 and RMB4,303, respectively.

 

F-10

 

 

LZ TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LIMITED

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data)

 

7. Short-term borrowings

 

The balance of short-term borrowings consists of the following:

 

   As of
December 31,
   As of
June 30,
 
   2022   2023 
   RMB   RMB 
       (Unaudited) 
Short-term borrowings from banks        
Wuxi Branch of Bank of Communications Co., Ltd   5,000    5,000 
Industrial Bank Co., Ltd. Xiamen Branch   4,000    4,000 
    9,000    9,000 
           
Short-term borrowings from several third-party investors (the “Investors”)   34,904    22,513 
           
Short-term borrowings, total   43,904    31,513 

 

(1)Short-term borrowings from banks

 

Short-term borrowings from banks represent amounts due to various banks to be matured within one year. The principal of the borrowings is due at maturity. Accrued interest is due either monthly or quarterly. The bank borrowings are for working capital and capital expenditure purposes.

 

(a)On November 22, 2022, Wuxi Media entered into a loan agreement with Wuxi Branch of Bank of Communications Co., Ltd in the total amount of RMB5,000 with one-year term. The interest rate is composed of the one-year LPR interest rate on the date of signing the contract which is 3.65% and floating upward by about 0.07%. The loan was fully repaid by the Group on November 22, 2023.

 

(b)On September 27, 2022, Xiamen Media initially entered into a loan agreement with Industrial Bank Co., Ltd. Xiamen Branch in the total amount of RMB4,000 with a one-year term. The interest rate is composed of the one-year LPR interest rate on the date of signing the contract which is 3.65% and floating upward by 0.35%. As of June 30, 2023, no payment has been made. The loan was fully repaid by the Group on September 14, 2023.

 

Interest expenses were nil and RMB162 for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2023, respectively. The weighted average interest rates were nil and 3.59% for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2023, respectively.

 

(2)Short-term borrowings from third-party cooperators (the “Cooperators”)

 

In 2020 and 2021, the Group entered into joint operating agreements with 89 third-party companies facilitated by an investment institution named Tianjiu Shared Intelligent Enterprise Service (“Tianjiu”), who was responsible for brand promotion and identifying parties with whom the Group could cooperate with to provide advertising promotion services to customers (“Cooperators”), which resulted in generating a total of RMB95,790, which is equal to the amount of cash received under the joint operating agreements (the “Original Subscription Amount”). Under the joint operating agreements, (i) Cooperators purchased community access control devices (the “Devices”) from the Group; (ii) the Group operated the Devices for the Cooperators, including equipment installation, providing technical support, running advertisements, equipment maintenance and so on; (iii) joint operating agreements were valid for five years; (iv) the Cooperators should pay the price of the device in full (the “Original Subscription Amount”) at the beginning of the cooperation period; and (v) the Cooperators and the Group shared revenues generated from the Devices.

 

The Group considers the funds, in substance, as interest-free investments payable to the Cooperators on their demand based on the following reasons: i) the Cooperators signed the joint operating agreements with the intention to invest in the Group; ii) the Group maintains the control over the Devices and enjoy the economic benefits of the Devices; iii) the Group repaid the Original Subscription Amount in the form of revenue sharing distribution. No conversion feature nor redemption feature was specified in the joint operating agreements. Therefore, the Group recognized the Original Subscription Amount as liabilities and classified as short-term borrowing as of December 31, 2022 and June 30, 2023. There was no revenue recognized for the sale of Devices as the control of Devices has never been transferred to the Cooperators but resided within the Group as machinery equity (Note 6). Instead, the proceeds received was accounted for as short-term borrowings, which were expected to be repaid or to be converted into equity, on the demand of the Cooperators.

 

In 2022, 45 of the Cooperators decided to terminate their joint operating agreements, and among which 41 (the “Investors”) entered into investment agreements (the “Investment Agreements”) with the Group and its shareholder, and 4 needed to be repaid with the Original Subscription Amount. Under the Investment Agreements, the Investors would invest in the Group in exchange for equity interests of the Group, directly or indirectly. The total amount of investment was RMB37,831, in exchange for 4.119% equity interests of the Group. As part of the Investment Agreement, the Group would retain the ownership of the Devices from the Investors.

 

F-11

 

 

LZ TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LIMITED

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data)

 

7. Short-term borrowings – Continued

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2023, 13 of the Cooperators decided to terminate their joint operating agreements and invested into the Group in exchange for 1.03% equity interests of the Group indirectly, with total amount of investment of RMB8,764. Among them, 8 Cooperators have completed the investment and total amount of RMB5,449 was invested into the Group’s equity.

 

As of June 30, 2023, there were still 31 Cooperators who have not signed the Investment Agreements or termination agreement. As of June 30, 2023, the Group had repaid the Original Subscription Amount in the amount of RMB26,681 in aggregate, for reduction of the borrowings.

 

As of the issuance date of this consolidation financial statements, there were other Cooperators who decided to terminate their joint operating agreements and invest in the Group’s equity, see Note 14 Subsequent Events for details.

 

8. Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

 

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consist of the following:

 

   As of
December 31,
   As of
June 30,
 
   2022   2023 
   RMB   RMB 
       (Unaudited) 
Accrued service fee (1)   1,274    1,026 
Accrued payroll and welfare   2,083    1,579 
Other tax payable (2)   310    6,453 
Deposit payables   154    155 
Merchant settlement payable (3)   158    39 
Others (4)   153    151 
Total accrued expenses and other current liabilities   4,132    9,403 

 

(1)Accrued service fees represent service fees mainly includes operation and maintenance expenses, installation expenses, information technology service expenses and other expenses related to the daily operation.

 

(2)Other tax payable mainly includes other tax payable besides income tax, such as value-added tax, stamp duty, etc.

 

(3)Merchant settlement payable mainly includes the distribution commissions for e-commerce promotion services.

 

(4)Others mainly include daily reimbursement expenses.

 

9.Related party transactions

 

The table below sets forth the major related parties and their relationships with the Group:

 

No.   Names of related parties   Relationship
1   Xiamen Yinshan Longchang Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership)   Former shareholder of Lianzhang Portal
2   Qiang Sun   Director of Lianzhang Portal
3   Andong Zhang   Chairman of LZ Technology
4   Runzhe Zhang   Chief Executive Officer of LZ Technology
5   Cheng’s Investment Group Co., LTD. (Hainan)   Former shareholder of Lianzhang Portal
6   Xiamen Qiushi Intelligent Network Technology Co., LTD   61% owned by Andong Zhang
7   Fujian Qiushi Intelligent Co., LTD   61% owned by Andong Zhang
8   Xiamen Qiushi Intelligent Network Equipment Co., LTD   80% owned by Andong Zhang
9   Shenzhen Zhixing Finance Culture Media Co.   Qiang Sun is a mutual director of Lianzhang Portal and Shenzhen Zhixing Finance Culture Media Co.
10   Xiamen Xueyoubang Network Technology Co.   5% held by Hongwei Zhang
11   Hongwei Zhang   Brother in law of Andong Zhang
12   Xiamen Rongguang Information Technology Co., Ltd.   95% owned by Hongwei Zhang
13   Fujian Henduoka Network Technology Co., Ltd., or Henduoka   95.5% owned by Hongwei Zhang
14   Tianjiu Shared Intelligent Enterprise Service   Former shareholder of Lianzhang Portal
15   Jun Liu   Director of Xiamen Infinity
16   Xiamen Yiju Tianxia Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership)   Shareholder of Lianzhang Portal
17   Jinfu No.1 (Huzhou) Equity Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership)   Shareholder of Lianzhang Portal

 

F-12

 

 

LZ TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LIMITED

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data)

 

9. Related party transactions – Continued 

 

The Group entered into the following transactions with related parties:

 

   For the six months ended
June 30,
 
   2022   2023 
   RMB   RMB 
   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited) 
Collection of loan to related parties        
Xiamen Qiushi Intelligent Network Equipment Co., LTD   (16,267)   (2,784)
Xiamen Yinshan Longchang Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership)   (3,900)   (3)
Jun Liu   (4,178)   - 
Fujian Henduoka Network Technology Co., Ltd., or Henduoka   -    (4,905)
Total   (24,345)   (7,692)
           
Loan from related parties          
Fujian Qiushi Intelligent Co., LTD   -    (30,320)
Xiamen Qiushi Intelligent Network Equipment Co., LTD   (33)   (2,690)
Xiamen Qiushi Intelligent Network Technology Co., LTD   -    (66)
Xiamen Qiushi intelligence software Co., LTD   -    (500)
Total   (33)   (33,576)
           
Repayment of loan from related parties          
Fujian Qiushi Intelligent Co., LTD   26,239    22,370 
Xiamen Qiushi Intelligent Network Equipment Co., LTD   1,543    424 
Xiamen Qiushi Intelligent Network Technology Co., LTD   42    189 
Xiamen Yinshan Longchang Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership)   4,900    - 
Jun Liu   156    26 
Total   32,880    23,009 
           
Loan to related parties          
Xiamen Qiushi Intelligent Network Equipment Co., LTD   -    3,545 
Xiamen Qiushi Intelligent Network Technology Co., LTD   500    - 
Jun Liu   499    - 
Fujian Henduoka Network Technology Co., Ltd., or Henduoka   -    3,486 
Total   999    7,031 

 

   For the six months ended
June 30,
 
   2022   2023 
   RMB   RMB 
   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited) 
Service and commodity purchase from related parties        
Equipment procurement        
Xiamen Qiushi Intelligent Network Equipment Co., LTD   (459)   (515)
    (459)   (515)
Sub-contract cost          
Xiamen Xueyoubang Network Technology Co.   (8,051)   (24,078)
    (8,051)   (24,078)
Rent, utilities and cleaning fees          
Xiamen Qiushi Intelligent Network Technology Co., LTD   (138)   (419)
    (138)   (419)
Total   (8,648)   (25,012)

 

F-13

 

 

LZ TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LIMITED

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data)

 

9. Related party transactions – Continued 

 

   For the six months ended
June 30,
 
   2022   2023 
   RMB   RMB 
   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited) 
Transfer of Long term investment        
Xiamen Yinshan Longchang Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership)   995    731 
Total   995    731 

 

   For the six months ended
June 30,
 
   2022   2023 
   RMB   RMB 
   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited) 
Share Transfer        
Xiamen Yiju Tianxia Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership)   -    43,200 
Jinfu No.1 (Huzhou) Equity Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership)   -    9,000 
Total   -    52,200 

 

(a) The Group had the following balances with related parties:

 

Amounts due from related parties consisted of the following for the periods indicated:

 

      As of
December 31,
   As of
June 30,
 
RPT  Nature  2022   2023 
    RMB   RMB 
          (Unaudited) 
Xiamen Qiushi Intelligent Network Technology Co., LTD  Service and commodity purchase from related parties   118    249 
Xiamen Qiushi Intelligent Network Technology Co., LTD  Loan from related parties   -    91 
Xiamen Qiushi Intelligent Network Equipment Co., LTD  Loan to related parties   20,855    21,272 
Xiamen Yinshan Longchang Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership)  Loan to related parties   3    - 
Fujian Henduoka Network Technology Co., Ltd., or Henduoka  Loan to related parties   2,791    1,372 
Qiang Sun  Expenses paid on behalf of the Company   5    20 
Xiamen Yinshan Longchang Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership)  Transfer of Long-term investment   1,723    - 
Hongwei Zhang  Share Transfer   8    - 
Xiamen Rongguang Information Technology Co., Ltd.  Share Transfer   150    - 
Fujian Qiushi Intelligent Co., LTD  Loan from related parties   -    530 
Xiamen Xueyoubang Network Technology Co.  Service and commodity purchase from related parties   -    1,302 
Amounts due from related parties      25,653    24,836 

 

F-14

 

 

LZ TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LIMITED

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data)

 

9. Related party transactions – Continued 

 

Amount due to related parties consisted of the following for the periods indicated:

 

      As of
December 31,
   As of
June 30,
 
      2022   2023 
       RMB    RMB 
            (Unaudited) 
Xiamen Qiushi Intelligent Network Equipment Co., LTD  Service and commodity purchase from related parties   -    (302)
Xiamen Xueyoubang Network Technology Co.  Service and commodity purchase from related parties   (3,000)   - 
Xiamen Qiushi Intelligent Network Technology Co., LTD  Service and commodity purchase from related parties   (276)   (138)
Tianjiu Shared Intelligent Enterprise Service  Service and commodity purchase from related parties   (48)   (48)
Xiamen Qiushi Intelligent Network Equipment Co., LTD  Loan from related parties   (23,001)   (25,130)
Fujian Qiushi Intelligent Co., LTD  Loan from related parties   -    (8,480)
Xiamen Qiushi Intelligent Network Technology Co., LTD  Loan from related parties   (32)   - 
Jun Liu  Loan from related parties   (184)   (158)
Xiamen Qiushi intelligence software co., LTD  Loan from related parties   -    (500)
Runzhe Zhang  Expenses paid on behalf of the Company   (4)   - 
Andong Zhang  Expenses paid on behalf of the Company   -    (70)
Fujian Henduoka Network Technology Co., Ltd., or Henduoka  Expenses paid on behalf of the Company   (296)   - 
Fujian Henduoka Network Technology Co., Ltd., or Henduoka  Expenses paid on behalf of the Company   -    (311)
Xiamen Zhanghui investment co., LTD  Share Transfer   -    (3,315)
Amounts due to related parties      (26,841)   (38,452)

 

The amount due to a related party are unsecured interest-free and repayable on demand.

 

(b) Guarantee

 

On August 3, 2022, Andong Zhang, Hongling Zhang, and Xiamen Lianzhanghui Intelligent Technology Co.,Ltd. provided joint guarantees for the loans and borrowings of Fujian Qiushi Intelligent from July 25, 2022 to July 25, 2025. The total principal amount of the creditor’s rights does not exceed the credit limit of RMB 5,000 provided by the creditor to the debtor (the maximum amount including interest, liquidated damages, compensation and other amounts of the creditor’s rights is RMB 7,500). As of December 31, 2022, Fujian Qiushi Intelligent has borrowed RMB 5,000 from Xiamen Bank, with a guaranteed maturity date of August 15, 2023. On August 15, 2023, the Group renewed the above borrowing when it matured.

 

F-15

 

 

LZ TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LIMITED

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data)

 

10. Income tax

 

Cayman Islands

 

The Company is incorporated in the Cayman Islands. Under the current laws of the Cayman Islands, the Company is not subject to income or capital gains taxes. Additionally, upon payments of dividends by the Company to its shareholders, no Cayman withholding tax will be imposed.

 

British Virgin Islands (“BVI”)

 

Dongrun Technology is incorporated in the British Virgin Islands. Under the current laws of the British Virgin Islands, Dongrun Technology is not subject to tax on income or capital gains. Additionally, upon payments of dividends by the Company to its shareholders, no BVI withholding tax will be imposed.

 

Hong Kong

 

The Company’s subsidiary incorporated in Hong Kong is subject to profits tax in Hong Kong at the rate of 16.5%. According to Tax (Amendment) (No. 3) Ordinance 2018 published by Hong Kong government, effective April 1, 2018, under the two-tiered profits tax rates regime, the profits tax rate for the first HKD2 million of assessable profits will be lowered to 8.25% (half of the rate specified in Schedule 8 to the Inland Revenue Ordinance (IRO)) for corporations. The Group was not subject to Hong Kong profit tax for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2023, respectively, as it did not have assessable profit during the periods presented.

 

PRC

 

Under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law (the “EIT Law”), the standard enterprise income tax rate for domestic enterprises and foreign invested enterprises is 25%. EIT grants preferential tax treatment to High and New Technology Enterprises (“HNTEs”) at a rate of 15%, subject to a requirement that they re-apply for HNTE status every three years. The Company’s subsidiaries Lianzhang Portal and its branch company obtained its HNTE status in 2020, and will enjoy the preferential tax rate of 15% for the period of 3 years.

 

The EIT Law also provides that an enterprise established under the laws of a foreign country or region but whose “de facto management body” is located in the PRC be treated as a resident enterprise for PRC tax purposes and consequently be subject to the PRC income tax at the rate of 25% for its global income. The Implementing Rules of the EIT Law merely define the location of the “de facto management body “as” the place where the exercising, in substance, of the overall management and control of the production and business operation, personnel, accounting, property, of a non-PRC company is located.”

 

Notice Regarding the Determination of Chinese-Controlled Offshore Incorporated Enterprises as the PRC Tax Resident Enterprises on the Basis of De Facto Management Bodies (“Circular 82”), which was promulgated by SAT on April 22, 2009 and amended on January 29, 2014 and December 29, 2017, sets out the standards and procedures for determining whether the “de facto management body” of an enterprise registered outside of the PRC and controlled by PRC enterprises or PRC enterprise groups is located within the PRC.

 

F-16

 

 

LZ TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LIMITED

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data)

 

According to Circular 82, a Chinese-controlled offshore incorporated enterprise will be regarded as a PRC tax resident by virtue of having a “de facto management body” in the PRC and will be subject to PRC EIT on its worldwide income only if all of the following criteria are met: (1) the primary location of the day-to-day operational management is in the PRC; (2) decisions relating to the enterprise’s financial and human resource matters are made or are subject to approval by organizations or personnel in the PRC; (3) the enterprise’s primary assets, accounting books and records, company seals, and board and shareholders meeting minutes are located or maintained in the PRC; and (4) 50% or more of voting board members or senior executives habitually reside in the PRC.

 

Based on a review of surrounding facts and circumstances, the Group does not believe that it is likely that its operations outside of the PRC should be considered as a resident enterprise for the PRC tax purposes for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2023.However, the tax resident status of an enterprise is subject to determination by the PRC tax authorities and uncertainties remain with respect to the interpretation of the term “de facto management body.” If the PRC tax authorities determine that we are a PRC resident enterprise for enterprise income tax purposes, we could be subject to PRC tax at a rate of 25% on our worldwide income, which could materially reduce our net income, and we may be required to withhold a 10% withholding tax from dividends we pay to our shareholders that are non-resident enterprises. In addition, non-resident enterprise shareholders may be subject to PRC tax on gains realized on the sale or other disposition of ordinary shares, if such income is treated as sourced from within China. Furthermore, if we are deemed a PRC resident enterprise, dividends payable to our non-PRC individual shareholders and any gain realized on the transfer of ordinary shares by such shareholders may be subject to PRC tax at a rate of 10% in the case of non-PRC enterprises or a rate of 20% in the case of non-PRC individuals unless a reduced rate is available under an applicable tax treaty. It is unclear whether non-PRC shareholders of our Company would be able to claim the benefits of any tax treaties between their country of tax residence and the PRC in the event that we are treated as a PRC resident enterprise. Any such tax may reduce the returns on your investment in the ordinary shares. 

 

According to the Notice on Implementing the Inclusive Tax Reduction and Exemption Policy for Small and Micro Enterprises (Caishui [2019] No. 13) issued by the Ministry of Finance and the State Taxation Administration on January 17, 2019, small and low-profit enterprises should meet the three conditions: (1) The annual taxable income does not exceed RMB3.0 million; (2) The number of employees does not exceed 300; (3) The total assets does not exceed RMB50.0 million. For small and low-profit enterprises with an annual taxable income of no more than RMB1.0 million, a reduction of 25% will be included in the taxable income, and the enterprise income tax will be paid at a 20% tax rate; For the portion of annual taxable income exceeding RMB1.0 million but not exceeding RMB3.0 million, a reduction of 50% shall be included in the taxable income and their enterprise income tax shall be paid at a 20% tax rate. The execution period of this notice is from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2021.

 

According to the Announcement on Further Implementing the Income Tax Preferential Policies for Small and Micro Enterprises (Caishui [2022] No. 13) issued by the Ministry of Finance and the State Taxation Administration on March 14, 2022, for small and low-profit enterprises with an annual taxable income exceeding RMB1.0 million but not exceeding RMB3.0 million, a reduction of 25% will be included in the taxable income and the enterprise income tax will be paid at a 20% tax rate. The execution period of this announcement is from January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2024.

 

Except for Lianzhang Portal Network Technology Co., Ltd, Lianzhang Media Co., Ltd, Xiamen Lianzhang Media Co.,Ltd and Lianzhang Digital Marketing Planning (Xiamen) Co., Ltd., the remaining subsidiaries are all subject to tax incentives for small and low-profit enterprises.

 

F-17

 

 

LZ TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LIMITED

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data)

 

10. Income tax – Continued 

 

The following table sets forth current and deferred portion of income tax expense of the Company’s subsidiaries:

 

   For the six months ended
June 30,
 
   2022   2023 
   RMB   RMB 
   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited) 
Current income tax expenses   1    926 
Deferred income tax expenses   -    - 
Total   1    926 

 

A reconciliation between the Group’s actual provision for income taxes and the provision at the PRC, mainland statutory rate is as follows:

 

   For the six months ended
June 30,
 
   2022   2023 
   RMB   RMB 
   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited) 
Loss before income tax   8,992    (2,259)
Expected taxation at PRC statutory tax rate   (2,248)   565 
Effect of income tax rate differences   2,164    1,453 
Research and development additional deduction   (109)   (75)
Effect of tax rate changes on deferred taxes   (2,054)   (1,747)
Non-deductible expenses   6    12 
Change in valuation allowance   2,242    718 
Income tax expenses   1    926 

 

For the six months ended June 30,2022 and 2023, the Company did not have any significant unrecognized uncertain tax positions and the Company does not believe that its unrecognized tax benefits will change over the next twelve months. For the six months ended June 30,2022 and 2023, the Company did not have any significant interest or penalties associated with uncertain tax positions.

 

The significant components of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are summarized below:

 

   As of
December 31,
   As of
June 30,
 
   2022   2023 
   RMB   RMB 
       (Unaudited) 
Deferred tax assets:        
Net operating loss carried forward   19,506    18,939 
Advertisement expense   37    92 
Impairment on property and equipment   6,079    6,188 
Defered revenue   7,719    7,594 
GAAP difference-others   53    404 
Allowance of doubtful accounts   126    123 
Less: Valuation allowance   (33,520)   (33,340)
Total deferred tax assets   -    - 

 

F-18

 

 

LZ TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LIMITED

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data)

 

10. Income tax – Continued 

 

The Group operates through subsidiaries and valuation allowance is considered for each of the entities on an individual basis. The Group recorded valuation allowance against deferred tax assets of those entities that are in a cumulative financial loss position and are not forecasting profits in the near future as of December 31, 2022 and June 30, 2023. In making such determination, the Group also evaluates a variety of factors including the Group’s operating history, accumulated deficit, existence of taxable temporary differences and reversal periods. The Group has recognized a valuation allowance of RMB33,520 and RMB33,340 as of December 31, 2022 and June 30, 2023, respectively.

 

Changes in valuation allowance are as follows:

 

   As of
December 31,
   As of
June 30,
 
   2022   2023 
   RMB   RMB 
       (Unaudited) 
Balance at beginning of the year   28,693    33,520 
Additions   6,525    2,414 
Decreases   (1,698)   (2,594)
Balance at end of the year   33,520    33,340 

 

For entities incorporated in PRC mainland, net loss can be carried forward for five years, for entities qualified as HTNEs, net loss can be carried forward for ten years. As of December 31, 2022 and June 30, 2023, the Group had deferred tax assets of net operating loss carryforwards of approximately RMB19,506 and RMB18,939, respectively.

 

As of June 30, 2023, net operating loss carryforwards will expire, if unused, in the following amounts:

 

   Net
operating loss
carryforwards
 due by schedule
 
   RMB 
Remainder of 2023   122 
2024   212 
2025   2,287 
2026   3,149 
2027   18,061 
2028   8,871 
Thereafter   56,972 
Total   89,674 

 

F-19

 

 

LZ TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LIMITED

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data)

 

11. Equity

 

Capital injection

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2022, the Group obtained capital injection of RMB21,965 from Huayuan Hengying (Xiamen) Equity Investment Partnership (limited partnership), among which RMB17,546 attributable to LZ Technology Holdings Limited.

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2023, the Group obtained capital injection of RMB8,550 from Jinfu No.1 (Huzhou) Equity Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership), among which RMB7,975 attributable to LZ Technology Holdings Limited.

 

12. Commitments and contingencies

 

(a) Operating lease commitments

 

As of June 30, 2023, there were no unconditional purchase obligations, such as future lease payment under non-cancelable agreements, that have not been recognized on the balance sheet.

 

(b) Contingencies

 

In the ordinary course of business, the Group may be subject to legal proceedings regarding contractual and employment relationships and a variety of other matters. The Group records contingent liabilities resulting from such claims, when a loss is assessed to be probable and the amount of the loss is reasonably estimable. In the opinion of management, there were no significant pending or threatened claims and litigation as of June 30, 2023 and through the issuance date of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

(c) Unconditional purchase obligations

 

For the Retail Sales vertical, the Group entered into agreement with unconditional purchase obligations with suppliers. Details were as follows:

 

Products  Minimum purchase amounts   Period for completion 
   RMB     
Alcohol products   60,000   From June 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023 
Alcohol products   10,000   From August 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023 
Tourism products   30,000   From January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023 

 

As of June 30, 2023, the Group had fulfilled purchase amounts of alcohol products amounting to RMB2,062 and tourism products amounting to RMB9,988.

 

F-20

 

 

LZ TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LIMITED

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data)

 

13. Concentration of credit risk

 

Financial instruments that potentially expose the Group to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of accounts receivable. The Group conducts credit evaluations of its customers, and generally does not require collateral or other security from them. The Group evaluates its collection experience and long outstanding balances to determine the need for an allowance for doubtful accounts. The Group conducts periodic reviews of the financial condition and payment practices of its customers to minimize collection risk on accounts receivable.

 

The following table sets forth a summary of single customers who represent 10% or more of the Group’s total accounts receivable:

 

   As of
December 31,
   As of
June 30,
 
   2022   2023 
       (Unaudited) 
Percentage of the Group’s accounts receivable        
Customer A   *    41%
Customer B   *    11%
Customer C   51%   4%
Customer D   25%   3%

 

*Represented the percentage below 10%

 

The following table sets forth a summary of single customers who represent 10% or more of the Group’s total revenue.

 

   For the six months ended
June 30,
 
   2022   2023 
   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited) 
Percentage of the Group’s total revenue        
Customer A   *    28%
Customer B   20%   13%
Customer C   31%   * 
Customer D   11%   * 

 

*Represented the percentage below 10%

 

The following table sets forth a summary of single suppliers who represent 10% or more of the Group’s total purchases:

 

   For the six months ended
June 30,
 
   2022   2023 
   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited) 
Percentage of the Group’s total purchase        
Supplier A   *    22%
Supplier B   *    16%
Supplier C   *    13%
Supplier D   23%   13%
Supplier E   29%   * 

 

*Represented the percentage below 10%

 

F-21

 

 

LZ TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LIMITED

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data)

 

14. Subsequent events

 

The Group has evaluated subsequent events through December 5, 2023, the date of issuance of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, except for the events mentioned below, the Group did not identify any subsequent events with material financial impact on the Group’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

a) Termination of joint operating agreements with Cooperators

 

As of the issuance date of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, there were other 3 Cooperators decided to terminate their joint operating agreements and invested into the Group in exchange for 0.11% equity interests of the Group indirectly. The total amount of investment was RMB1,264 and has been received from these Cooperators in 2021 upon entering into the joint operating agreements, which was recorded as short-term borrowings.  As of the issuance date of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, the above 3 Cooperators haven’t completed the investment yet.

 

b) New bank borrowings acquired

 

On August 30, 2023, the Group obtained credit facilities from Agricultural Bank of China of RMB10,000 within ten years with a building from the Group’s shareholder Mr. Andong Zhang pledged. The interest rate is composed of the one-year LPR interest rate on the date of signing the contract which is 3.4% and floating downward by about 0.05%.

 

The Group may withdraw the loan through the business counters or self-service electronic channels provided by the lender as needed within the credit facilities. The term of the borrowings shall not exceed one year and the expiration date shall not exceed the expiration date of the term of validity of the credit facilities. The minimum term of the borrowings shall be one day.

 

On September 14, 2023, the Group used the above credit facilities and obtained RMB10,000 borrowings from Agricultural Bank of China within the one-year term. The Group will make bullet repayment when it is due and borrow another loan as needed within the credit facilities.

  

c) Capital injection

 

On June 23, 2023, Jinfu No.1 (Huzhou) Equity Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership) (“Jinfu No.1”) made a capital injection with a total amount of RMB50,000, obtaining 1.95% equity of the Group. As of June 30, 2023, RMB9,000 had been in place, and the remaining RMB41,000 had been in place before September 30, 2023.

 

F-22

 

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of LZ Technology Holdings Limited

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of LZ Technology Holdings Limited (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss, changes in shareholders’ (deficits)/equity and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2022, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2022, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

Basis for Opinion

 

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB and in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

 

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

/s/ Marcum Asia CPAs LLP

 

Marcum Asia CPAs LLP

 

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2022.

 

Beijing, China

August 18, 2023, except for Note 17 as to which the date is November 3, 2023.

 

F-23

 

 

LZ TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LIMITED

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except share and per share data or otherwise noted)

 

   As of December 31, 
   2021   2022   2022 
   RMB   RMB   US$ Note 3 (f) 
ASSETS            
Current assets            
Cash and cash equivalents   5,134    6,982    963 
Accounts receivable, net   33,132    44,617    6,153 
Advance to suppliers   4,787    794    109 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets, net   7,897    5,627    776 
Deferred offering costs   -    554    76 
Amounts due from related parties   46,023    25,653    3,538 
Total current assets   96,973    84,227    11,615 
                
Non-current assets               
Long-term investments   1,279    -    - 
Property and equipment, net   41,840    34,217    4,719 
Intangible assets, net   -    4,030    556 
Right-of-use assets   378    -    - 
Total non-current assets   43,497    38,247    5,275 
TOTAL ASSETS   140,470    122,474    16,890 
                
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ (DEFICITS)/EQUITY               
Current liabilities               
Short-term borrowings   84,645    43,904    6,055 
Accounts payable   17,116    32,276    4,451 
Contract liabilities   508    445    61 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities   11,455    4,132    570 
Lease liabilities - current   252    -    - 
Amounts due to related parties   55,699    26,841    3,702 
Total current liabilities   169,675    107,598    14,839 
                
Non-current liabilities               
Lease liabilities - non-current   109    -    - 
Other non-current liabilities   105    -    - 
Total non-current assets   214    -    - 
TOTAL LIABILITIES   169,889    107,598    14,839 
                
Commitments and contingencies (Note 15)               
                
Shareholders’ (deficit)/equity               
Class A ordinary shares (par value of US$0.0001 per share; 20,000,000 Class A ordinary shares authorized, 9,589,248 Class A ordinary shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2021 and 2022, respectively)*   7    7    1 
Class B ordinary shares (par value of US$0.0001 per share; 480,000,000 Class B ordinary shares authorized, 48,445,122 and 52,471,800 Class B ordinary shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2021 and 2022, respectively) *   33    36    5 
Additional paid in capital   112,373    168,144    23,188 
Accumulated deficit   (139,925)   (154,269)   (21,275))
Total LZ Technology Holdings Limited shareholders’ (deficit)/equity   (27,512)   13,918    1,919 
Non-controlling interests   (1,907)   958    132 
Total shareholders’ (deficit)/equity   (29,419)   14,876    2,051 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ (DEFICIT)/EQUITY   140,470    122,474    16,890 

 

*Ordinary shares and share data have been retroactively restated to give effect to the reorganization (Note 1(a)).

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

F-24

 

 

LZ TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LIMITED

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

(In thousands, except share and per share data or otherwise noted)

 

   For the years ended December 31, 
   2021   2022   2022 
   RMB   RMB   US$ Note 3 (f) 
Revenues   81,045    162,952    22,472 
Cost of revenues   (70,026)   (143,100)   (19,734)
Gross profit   11,019    19,852    2,738 
                
Operating expenses               
Selling and marketing expenses   (10,059)   (22,049)   (3,041)
General and administrative expenses   (8,867)   (12,859)   (1,773)
Research and development expenses   (6,414)   (6,927)   (955)
Total operating expenses   (25,340)   (41,835)   (5,769)
Operating loss   (14,321)   (21,983)   (3,031)
                
Other (expense)/income, net               
Financial expenses, net   (34,770)   (18)   (2)
Income from disposal of a subsidiary   -    4,318    595 
Income from disposal of long-term investments   -    475    66 
Other income, net   641    2,411    332 
Total other (expenses)/income, net   (34,129)   7,186    991 
                
Loss before income tax expenses   (48,450)   (14,797)   (2,040)
Income tax expenses   (8)   -    - 
Net loss   (48,458)   (14,797)   (2,040)
Less: net loss attributable to non-controlling interests   (3,398)   (1,152)   (159)
Net loss attributable to LZ Technology Holdings Limited’s ordinary shareholders   (45,060)   (13,645)   (1,881)
Total comprehensive loss   (48,458)   (14,797)   (2,040)
Less: total comprehensive loss attributable to non-controlling interests   (3,398)   (1,152)   (159)
Comprehensive loss attributable to LZ Technology Holdings Limited   (45,060)   (13,645)   (1,881)
                
Net loss per share - Basic and diluted   (0.78)   (0.23)   (0.03)
                
Weighted average shares outstanding used in calculating basic and diluted loss per share   57,569,980    58,375,027    58,375,027 

 

*Ordinary shares and share data have been retroactively restated to give effect to the reorganization (Note 1(a)).

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

F-25

 

 

LZ TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LIMITED

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDER’S (DEFICITS)/EQUITY

(In thousands, except share and per share data or otherwise noted)

 

   Class A
Ordinary shares
   Class B
Ordinary shares
   Additional
paid-in
   Accumulated   Total LZ
Technology
shareholders’
   Non-
controlling
   Total
shareholders’
(deficits)/
 
   Share   Amount   Share   Amount   capital   Deficit   (deficit)/equity   interests   equity 
   RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB 
Balance as of December 31, 2020   9,589,248    7    47,821,952    33    103,421    (94,761)   8,700    605    9,305 
Net loss   -    -    -    -    -    (45,060)   (45,060)   (3,398)   (48,458)
Contribution from shareholders   -    -    623,170    -    8,952    (104)   8,848    886    9,734 
Balance as of December 31, 2021   9,589,248    7    48,445,122    33    112,373    (139,925)   (27,512)   (1,907)   (29,419)
Net loss   -    -    -    -    -    (13,645)   (13,645)   (1,152)   (14,797)
Contribution from shareholders   -    -    4,026,678    3    17,940    (699)   17,244    4,017    21,261 
Debt-to-equity conversion   -    -    -    -    37,831    -    37,831    -    37,831 
Balance as of December 31, 2022   9,589,248    7    52,471,800    36    168,144    (154,269)   13,918    958    14,876 
Balance as of December 31, 2022(US$)   9,589,248    1    52,471,800    5    23,188    (21,257)   1,919    132    2,015 

 

*Ordinary shares and share data have been retroactively restated to give effect to the reorganization (Note 1(a)).

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

F-26

 

 

LZ TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LIMITED

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands, except share and per share data or otherwise noted)

 

   For the years ended December 31, 
   2021   2022   2022 
   RMB   RMB   US$ Note 3 (f) 
Cash flows from operating activities:            
Net loss   (48,458)   (14,797)   (2,040)
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:               
Allowance for doubtful accounts   527    -    - 
Depreciation and amortization   4,096    9,736    1,343 
Amortization of operating lease right-of-use asset   120    270    37 
Loss on long-term investments   180    27    4 
Income from disposal of subsidiary   -    (4,318)   (595)
Income from disposal of long-term investments   -    (475)   (66)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:               
Accounts receivable   (28,078)   (11,600)   (1,600)
Advance to suppliers   (1,862)   2,591    357 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   4,103    (1,371)   (189)
Amounts due from related parties   (16,179)   (2,898)   (400)
Accounts payable   16,942    15,403    2,124 
Contract liabilities   (151)   (62)   (9)
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities   8,901    6,033    830 
Operating lease liabilities   (122)   (278)   (38)
Amounts due to related parties   14,505    4,225    583 
Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities   (45,476)   2,486    341 
                
Cash flows from investing activities:               
Purchase of property and equipment   (27,378)   (1,469)   (203)
Proceed from disposal of long-term investment   -    992    137 
Purchase of intangible asset   -    (4,742)   (654)
Cash loss of disposal of subsidiary   -    (1,330)   (183)
Loans to related parties   (88,711)   (5,690)   (785)
Collection of loans to related parties   61,821    25,826    3,562 
Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities   (54,268)   13,587    1,874 
                
Cash flows from financing activities:               
Proceeds from borrowings   96,440    9,000    1,241 
Repayments of borrowings   (36,645)   (11,910)   (1,642)
Payment for deferred offering cost   -    (554)   (76)
Proceeds of loans from related parties   47,489    18,874    2,603 
Repayment of loans from related parties   (15,130)   (50,791)   (7,004)
Proceeds from capital injection   9,734    21,261    2,932 
Other financing activities   (170)   (105)   (14)
Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities   101,718    (14,225)   (1,960)
                
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents:   1,974    1,848    255 
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of year   3,160    5,134    708 
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of year   5,134    6,982    963 
                
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:               
Income tax paid   -    -    - 
Interest paid   780    57    8 
                
Supplemental schedule of non-cash financing activities:               
Debt-to-equity conversion   -    37,831    5,217 
Obtaining right-of-use assets in exchange for operating lease liabilities and prepaid expenses   499    115    16 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

F-27

 

 

LZ TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LIMITED

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data)

 

1.Organization and principal activities

 

(a)Principal activities

 

LZ Technology Holdings Limited (“LZ Technology”, “Company”) was incorporated under the law of the Cayman Islands as an exempted company with limited liability on November 23, 2022. The Company is a holding company and conducts its businesses primarily through its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Group”). The Group is an integrated advertising and promotion service provider with principal operations and geographic markets in the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”).

 

(b)Reorganization

 

In anticipation of an initial public offering (“IPO”) of its equity securities, the Company incorporated Dongrun Technology Holdings Limited (“Dongrun Technology”) under the laws of British Virgin Islands, as its direct wholly-owned subsidiary, on December 5, 2022. Mr. Andong Zhang incorporated LZ Digital Technology Group Limited (“LZ Digital”) under the laws of Hong Kong, PRC, on November 21, 2022. On March 10, 2023, Mr. Andong Zhang transferred 100% of his shares in LZ Digital to Dongrun Technology and the Company controls LZ Digital through Dongrun Technology since then.

 

On January 13, 2023, LZ Digital directly invested in Lianzhang Menhu (Zhejiang) Holding Co., Ltd. (“LZ Menhu”), as its direct wholly-owned subsidiary. On June 23, 2023, shareholders of Lianzhang Portal Network Technology Co., Ltd (“Lianzhang Portal”) transferred 93.70% of equity interests to LZ Menhu and the Company controls Lianzhang Portal and its subsidiaries since then.

 

Due to the fact that the Company and its subsidiaries were effectively controlled by the same shareholders immediately before and after the reorganization completed on August 18, 2023, as described above, the reorganization was accounted for as a recapitalization. As a result, the Group’s consolidated financial statements have been prepared as if the current corporate structure has been in existence throughout the periods presented.

 

As of December 31, 2022, the Company’s principal subsidiaries are as follows.

 

    Date of
incorporation/
acquisition
  Place of
incorporation
  Percentage of
direct or
indirect
economic
interest
    Principal activities
Main subsidiaries:                  
Dongrun Technology   December 5, 2022   British Virgin Islands     100%     Investment holding
LZ Digital   November 30, 2022   Hong Kong     100%     Investment holding
LZ Menhu   January 13, 2023   PRC     100%     Investment holding
Lianzhang Portal   September 10, 2014   PRC     93.70%     Advertising and Technical service
Xiamen Lianzhang Media Co.,Ltd (“Xiamen Media”)   October, 05, 2014   PRC     93.70%     Advertising promotion service
Lianzhang Media Co., Ltd (“Lianzhang Media”)   January, 16, 2018   PRC     93.70%     Advertising promotion service
Xiamen Lianzhanghui Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd   October 31, 2014   PRC     93.70%     Sales of devices
Xiamen Limited E-commerce Co., Ltd.   April 7, 2022   PRC     93.70%     Investment holding
Xiamen Infinity Network Technology Co., Ltd.   August, 16, 2021   PRC     93.70%     E-commerce promotion service
Lianzhang New Community Construction and Development(Jiangsu) Co., Ltd   June 21, 2018   PRC     74.96%     Sales of devices

 

 

F-28

 

 

LZ TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LIMITED

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data)

 

2.Liquidity

 

The Group’s consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and liquidation of liabilities during the normal course of operations. The Group incurred net losses from operations of RMB14,321 and RMB21,983 for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, respectively. Net cash provided by operating activities was RMB2,486 for the year ended December 31, 2022, and net cash used by operating activities was RMB45,476 for the year ended December 31, 2021. As of December 31, 2022, the Group’s accumulated deficits were RMB154,269, with a working capital deficit of RMB23,371, and the Group had cash and cash equivalents of RMB6,982. The Group’s operating results for future periods are subject to numerous uncertainties. It is uncertain if the Group will be able to reduce or eliminate its net losses for the foreseeable future. Such conditions and events cast substantial doubt on the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern.

 

The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the Group’s business operations for the past two years. However, the management expects that the operating results will be improved as the economy has gradually recovered from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Besides, management has developed business plans to mitigate the above adverse conditions and events, including obtaining funds amounting to RMB63,794 from two investors as capital injection which will be sufficient to meet anticipated working capital requirements and capital expenditures within the next 12 months from the issuance date of the consolidated financial statements. Moreover, the Group has proactively taken actions to fundamentally optimize its overall cost structure by upgrading its business and service model and implementing other cost control measures. Actions include standardizing the Group’s finance and operation policies throughout the Group, enhancing internal controls, and creating a synergy of the Group’s resources. Taking into consideration all these actions mentioned above, management concluded that the substantial doubt on the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern will be alleviated through the effective implementation of the business plans.

 

3.Summary of significant accounting policies

 

(a)Basis of presentation

 

The consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) to reflect the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Group. Significant accounting policies followed by the Group in the preparation of the accompanying consolidated financial statements are summarized below. All amounts, except for share, per share data or otherwise noted, are rounded to the nearest thousand.

 

(b)Principles of consolidation

 

The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries. All transactions and balances among the Group have been eliminated upon consolidation. All intercompany transactions and balances among the Group have been eliminated upon consolidation.

 

(c)Business combinations

 

The Company accounts for its business combinations using the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with ASC 805 “Business Combinations.” The cost of an acquisition is measured as the aggregate of the acquisition date fair value of the assets transferred to the sellers, liabilities incurred by the Company and equity instruments issued by the Company. Transaction costs directly attributable to the acquisition are expensed as incurred. Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed are measured separately at their fair values as of the acquisition date, irrespective of the extent of any noncontrolling interests. The excess of (i) the total costs of acquisition, fair value of the noncontrolling interests and acquisition date fair value of any previously held equity interest in the acquiree over (ii) the acquisition date amounts of the identifiable net assets of the acquiree is recorded as goodwill. If the cost of acquisition is less than the acquisition date amounts of the net assets of the subsidiary acquired, the difference is recognized directly in the consolidated income statements.

 

When there is a change in ownership interests that results in a loss of control of a subsidiary, the Company deconsolidates the subsidiary from the date control is lost. Any retained noncontrolling investment in the former subsidiary is measured at fair value and is included in the calculation of the gain or loss upon deconsolidation of the subsidiary.

 

F-29

 

 

LZ TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LIMITED

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data)

 

3.Summary of significant accounting policies – Continued

 

(d)Use of estimates

 

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the balance sheet date, and the reported revenues and expenses during the reported periods in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Significant accounting estimates include, but not limited to revenue recognition, allowance for doubtful accounts, impairment of long-term investments, useful lives and impairment of long-lived assets, accounting for deferred income taxes and valuation allowance for deferred tax assets. Changes in facts and circumstances may result in revised estimates. Actual results could differ from those estimates, and as such, differences may be material to the consolidated financial statements.

 

(e)Foreign currency translation

 

The Group uses Renminbi (“RMB”) as its reporting currency. The functional currency of the Company and the Company’s subsidiaries incorporated in Cayman, British Virgin Islands and Hong Kong is US dollars (“US$”), while the functional currency of the Company’s PRC subsidiaries is RMB. The determination of the respective functional currency is based on the criteria set out by ASC 830, Foreign Currency Matters.

 

Transactions denominated in foreign currencies other than functional currency are translated into the functional currency at the exchange rates prevailing on the transaction dates. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies other than functional currency are remeasured into the functional currency at the exchange rates prevailing at the balance sheet date. Non-monetary items that are measured in terms of historical cost in foreign currency are remeasured using the exchange rates at the dates of the initial transactions. Exchange gains or losses arising from foreign currency transactions are recorded in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.

 

The financial statements of the Group’s non-PRC entities are translated from their respective functional currency into RMB. Assets and liabilities are translated into RMB using the applicable exchange rates at the balance sheet date. Equity accounts other than earnings generated in current period are translated into RMB at the appropriate historical rates. Revenues, expenses, gains and losses are translated into RMB using the average exchange rates for the relevant period. The resulting foreign currency translation adjustments are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income in the consolidated statements of changes in equity and a component of other comprehensive income in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income.

 

(f)Convenience translation

 

Amounts in US$ are presented for the convenience of the reader and are translated at the rate of US$1.00 = RMB7.2513, representing the noon buying rate set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the U.S. Federal Reserve Board on June 30, 2023. No representation is made that the RMB amounts could have been, or could be, converted, realized or settled into US$ at that rate, or at any other rate.

 

(g)Cash and cash equivalents

 

Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on hand, and deposits that can be added to or withdrawn without limitation, which are unrestricted as to withdrawal and use.

 

F-30

 

 

LZ TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LIMITED

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data)

 

3.Summary of significant accounting policies – Continued

 

(h)Accounts receivable, net

 

Accounts receivable, net represent the amounts that the Group has an unconditional right to the consideration when the Group has satisfied its performance obligation. The Group does not have any contract assets since revenue is recognized when the promised services are provided and the payment from customers is not contingent on a future event. The Group maintains allowance for potential credit losses on accounts receivable. Management reviews the accounts receivable on a periodic basis and makes general and specific allowances when there is doubt as to the collectability of individual balances. Management usually determines the adequacy of reserves for doubtful accounts based on individual account analysis and historical collection trends. The allowance is based on management’s best estimates of specific losses on individual exposures, as well as a provision on historical trends of collections. Past due accounts are generally written off against the allowance for bad debts only after all collection attempts have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is considered remote.

 

The allowance for doubtful accounts as of December 31, 2021 and 2022 was RMB268 and RMB268 (US$37.0), respectively.

 

(i)Property and equipment, net

 

Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment, if any, and depreciated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Cost represents the purchase price of the asset and other costs incurred to bring the asset into its intended use. Residual value rate is determined to 5% based on the economic value of the property and equipment at the end of the estimated useful lives as a percentage of the original cost. Estimated useful lives are as follows:

 

Category  Estimated useful lives
Machinery equipment  5-10 years
Electronic equipment  5 years
Vehicles  5 years
Office equipment  3-5 years

 

Repair and maintenance costs are charged to expenses as incurred, whereas the cost of renewals and betterment that extends the useful lives of property and equipment are capitalized as additions to the related assets. Retirements, sales and disposals of assets are recorded by removing the costs, accumulated depreciation and impairment with any resulting gain or loss recognized in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.

 

(j)Intangible assets, net

 

Intangible assets are initially recognized and measured at cost upon acquisition. Separately identifiable intangible assets that have determinable lives continued to be amortized over their estimated economic useful lives using the straight-line method as follows:

 

Category  Estimated useful lives
Software  5 years

 

F-31

 

 

LZ TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LIMITED

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data)

 

3.Summary of significant accounting policies – Continued

 

(k)Long-term investments

 

The Group applies the equity method of accounting to equity investments, in common stock or in-substance common stock, over which it has significant influence but does not own a majority equity interest or otherwise control. Under the equity method, the Group initially records its investment at cost. The difference between the cost of the equity investment and the amount of the underlying equity in the net assets of the equity investee is recognized as equity method goodwill or as an intangible asset as appropriate, which is included in the equity method investment on the consolidated balance sheets. The Group subsequently adjusts the carrying amount of the investment to recognize the Group’s proportionate share of each equity investee’s net income or loss into consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income after the date of acquisition. The Group makes the assessment of whether an investment is impaired based on the performance and financial position of the investee as well as other evidence of market value at each reporting date. Such assessment includes, but is not limited to, reviewing the investee’s cash position, recent financing, as well as financial and business performance. The Group recognizes an impairment loss equal to the difference between the carrying value and fair value in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income if any.

 

The impairment recognized for long-term investments for the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2022 was nil.

 

(l)Impairment of long-lived assets

 

The Group reviews its long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may no longer be recoverable. When these events occur, the Group measures impairment by comparing the carrying value of the long-lived assets to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use of the assets and their eventual disposition. If the sum of the expected undiscounted cash flow is less than the carrying amount of the assets, the Group would recognize an impairment loss, which is the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of the assets, using the expected future discounted cash flows. No impairments of long-lived assets were recognized as of December 31, 2021 and 2022.

 

(m)Fair value measurement

 

Accounting guidance defines fair value as the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. When determining the fair value measurements for assets and liabilities required or permitted to be recorded at fair value, the Group considers the principal or most advantageous market in which it would transact and it considers assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability.

 

Accounting guidance establishes a fair value hierarchy that requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. A financial instrument’s categorization within the fair value hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The three levels of inputs are:

 

Level 1—Observable inputs that reflect quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.
   
Level 2—Include other inputs that are directly or indirectly observable in the marketplace.
   
Level 3—Unobservable inputs which are supported by little or no market activity.

 

Accounting guidance also describes three main approaches to measuring the fair value of assets and liabilities: (1) market approach; (2) income approach and (3) cost approach. The market approach uses prices and other relevant information generated from market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities. The income approach uses valuation techniques to convert future amounts to a single present value amount. The measurement is based on the value indicated by current market expectations about those future amounts. The cost approach is based on the amount that would currently be required to replace an asset.

 

Financial assets and liabilities of the Group primarily consist of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, amounts due from related parties, other receivables included in prepayments and other current assets, short-term borrowings, accounts payable, amounts due to related parties, other payables included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities. As of December 31, 2021 and 2022, the carrying amounts of above financial assets and liabilities approximated to their fair values due to the short-term nature of these instruments.

 

F-32

 

 

LZ TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LIMITED

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data)

 

3.Summary of significant accounting policies – Continued

 

(n)Revenue recognition

 

The Group’s revenues are mainly generated from Out-of-Home Advertising and Local Life services.

 

The Group recognizes revenues pursuant to ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”). In accordance with ASC 606, revenues from contracts with customers are recognized when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to the Group’s customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration the Group expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services, reduced by value added tax (“VAT”). To achieve the core principle of this standard, the Group applies the following five steps:

 

1.Identification of the contract, or contracts, with the customer;
  
2.Identification of the performance obligations in the contract;
  
3.Determination of the transaction price;
  
4.Allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and
  
5.Recognition of the revenue when, or as, a performance obligation is satisfied.

 

Each of significant performance obligations and the application of ASC 606 to the Group’s revenue arrangements are discussed in further detail below.

 

Out-of-Home Advertising

 

The Group primarily generates revenues from providing Out-of-Home Advertising (i.e. advertising promotion) by displaying advertisements in its own community access control devices (“Channel One”) or via other channels provided by subcontractors (“Channel Two”). The arrangements might include advertising only on Channel One, or on both. The Group can benefit from advertising promotion provided through each channel promised in the contract on their own. Besides, the Group’s promise to perform services through each channel is separately identifiable from other promises in the contract. Therefore, Channel One and Channel Two are considered distinct and should be regarded as two performance obligations. The Group adopts the output method, using a time-elapsed basis ratably over the period from the beginning to the end of the advertising schedule, to measure progress as the fees are fixed for each advertising schedule and the advertisements are displayed evenly throughout the advertising schedule. The Group applies the expected cost plus a margin approach to estimate the standalone selling price for each performance obligation as there is no directly observable standalone selling price or similar market selling price.

 

Revenues generated from Channel One were RMB43.35 million and RMB103.17 million for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, respectively. Revenues generated from Channel Two were RMB24.30 million and RMB45.85 million for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, respectively.

 

The Group considers itself the principal for transactions and recognizes revenues on a gross basis due to the Group’s: i) control of establishing the transaction price, irrespective of subcontracting costs; 2) direct engagement with the customer and having sole responsibility for fulfilling the promises to provide advertising promotion, as well as its ability to subcontract based on its arrangements with or display effect/design requirement of the customers; 3) being liable for the actions of the subcontractors for unsatisfied deliverables, including services performed by subcontractors; and 4) payment being paid to subcontractors regardless of receipt from customers.

 

Local Life

 

The Group also generates revenues by providing e-commerce promotion service to merchants through different channels operated by the Group, such as (1) WeChat mini programs operated by Henduoka and (2) self-owned official accounts on the third party’s platforms like WeChat or Tiktok. For this type of service, the Group only identifies one performance obligation, which is to assist merchants to promote vouchers through e-commerce platforms, as services provided within each contract are considered a series of distinct goods that are substantially the same and that have the same pattern of transfer to customers. The Group adopts the practical expedient that allows it to recognize revenue in the amount to which the Group has a right to invoice the customer, as that amount corresponds directly with the value to the customer of the Group’s performance completed to date.

 

The Group considers itself the agent as (i) the inventory risk is controlled by the merchant, and (ii) the pricing right of the vouchers sold is controlled by the merchant. Therefore, such revenues are reported on a net basis, which are recognized based on a pre-determined percentage of the selling price for the merchandise purchased using redeemed vouchers (the fees earned from the merchant).

 

F-33

 

 

LZ TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LIMITED

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data)

 

3.Summary of significant accounting policies – Continued

 

Others

 

The Group also provides other services including advertisement design and production, operation service for the merchants’ online account, software development, devices sales and so on. The Group mainly recognizes the revenue at the fixed price at the time when the performance obligation is satisfied.

 

The following table disaggregates the Group’s revenue for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022:

 

   For the years ended
December 31,
 
   2021   2022 
   RMB   RMB 
By revenue type:        
Out-of-Home Advertising   67,652    149,024 
Local Life   4,904    9,057 
Others   8,489    4,871 
Total   81,045    162,952 

 

Contract assets and liabilities

 

Timing of revenue recognition may differ from the timing of invoicing the customers. Accounts receivable represent revenue recognized for the amounts invoiced and/or prior to invoicing when the Group has satisfied its performance obligation and has unconditional right to the payment. Contract assets represent the Group’s right to consideration in exchange for goods or services that the Group has transferred to a customer. The Group has no contract assets as of December 31, 2021 and 2022.

 

Contract liabilities represents the obligation to transfer goods or services to a customer for which the entity has received consideration from the customer. Contract liabilities of the Group mainly consist of advance payments from customers for advertising promotion. Contract liabilities related to advance payments from customers were RMB508 and RMB445 as of December 31, 2021 and 2022, respectively. Revenue of RMB658 and RMB253 was recognized from the deferred revenue balance at the beginning of the period for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, respectively. The Group expects to recognize this balance as revenue over the next 12 months.

 

(o)Cost of revenues

 

Amounts recorded as cost of revenues relate to direct expenses incurred in order to generate revenue. Cost of revenues primarily consists of (i) advertising commissions paid to agents and subcontractors, (ii) depreciation expenses for community access control devices, (iii) operation fees for E-commerce promotion service, and (iv) other costs. Such costs are recorded as incurred.

 

(p)Selling and marketing expenses

 

Selling and marketing expenses mainly consist of (i) labor expenses for sales personnel, (ii) maintenance fee, (iii) information technology service fee related to selling and marketing activities, (iv) advertisement and business promotion expenses, and (v) other miscellaneous selling expenses.

 

(q)General and administrative expenses

 

General and administrative expenses mainly consist of (i) salary and welfare for general and administrative personnel, (ii) professional service fee, (iii) rental fee, (iv) office expenses, (v) depreciation related to general and administrative departments and (vi) other corporate expenses.

 

F-34

 

 

LZ TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LIMITED

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data)

 

3.Summary of significant accounting policies – Continued

 

(r)Research and development expenses

 

Research and development expenses consist primarily of (i) salary and welfare for research and development personnel, (ii) information technology service fee, (iii) professional fee, and (iv) other miscellaneous research and development expenses. Research and development expenses that do not qualify to be capitalized are expensed as incurred.

 

The Group recognizes internal-use software development costs in accordance with guidance on intangible assets and internal use software. This requires capitalization of qualifying costs incurred during the software’s application development stage and expense costs as they are incurred during the preliminary project and post-implementation or operation stages. The Group has not capitalized any costs related to internal use software for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, respectively.

 

(s)Employee benefits

 

The Company’s subsidiaries in PRC participate in a government-mandated, multiemployer, defined contribution plan, pursuant to which certain retirement, medical, housing and other welfare benefits are provided to employees. PRC labor laws require the entities incorporated in the PRC to pay to the local labor bureau a monthly contribution calculated at a stated contribution rate on the monthly basic compensation of qualified employees. The Group has no further commitments beyond its monthly contribution. The total expenses recorded for such employee benefits amounted to RMB1,177 and RMB 2,059 for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022 respectively.

 

(t)Other income

 

Other income primarily consists of investment income and government grants. Government grants represent cash subsidies received from the PRC government. Government grants are recognized when there is reasonable assurance that the Group will comply with the conditions attached to it and the grant will be received. Government grants for the purpose of giving immediate financial support to the Group with no future related costs or obligations are recognized in the Group’s consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income when the grant becomes receivable.

 

(u)Income taxes

 

The Group accounts for current income taxes in accordance with the laws and regulations of the relevant tax jurisdictions. The charge for taxation is based on the results for the fiscal year as adjusted for items which are non-assessable or disallowed. The tax rates and tax laws used to compute the amount are those that are enacted or substantively enacted at the end of the reporting period.

 

The Group accounts for income taxes under ASC 740, Income Taxes (“ASC 740”). Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the consolidated financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases (“Temporary differences”).

 

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those Temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Deferred income tax is calculated at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the periods in which the asset or liability will be settled, based on rates enacted or substantively enacted at the end of the reporting period. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.

 

The provisions of ASC 740-10-25, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes,” prescribe a more-likely-than-not threshold for consolidated financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken (or expected to be taken) in a tax return. This interpretation also provides guidance on the recognition of income tax assets and liabilities, classification of current and deferred income tax assets and liabilities, accounting for interest and penalties associated with tax positions, and related disclosures. The Group believes there were no uncertain tax positions and unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2021 and 2022, respectively.

 

F-35

 

 

LZ TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LIMITED

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data)

 

3.Summary of significant accounting policies – Continued

 

(u)Income taxes – Continued

 

ASC 740 also provides guidance on derecognition of income tax assets and liabilities, classification of current and deferred income tax assets and liabilities, accounting for interest and penalties associated with tax positions, accounting for income taxes in interim periods, and income tax disclosures. Significant judgment is required in evaluating the Group’s uncertain tax positions and determining its provision for income taxes. Penalties and interest incurred related to underpayment of income tax are classified as income tax expense in the period incurred. The Group did not recognize any interest and penalties associated with uncertain tax positions for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, respectively, as there were no uncertain tax positions.

 

The Group’s operating subsidiaries in PRC are subject to examination by the relevant tax authorities. According to the PRC Tax Administration and Collection Law, the statute of limitations is three years if the underpayment of taxes is due to computational errors made by the taxpayer or the withholding agent. The statute of limitations is extended to five years under special circumstances, where the underpayment of taxes is more than RMB 100,000 ($13,791). In the case of transfer pricing issues, the statute of limitation is ten years. There is no statute of limitation in the case of tax evasion.

 

(v)Value added tax (“VAT”)

 

The Group is subject to VAT at the rate of 6% depending on whether the entity is a general taxpayer, and related surcharges on revenue generated from providing services. Entities that are VAT general taxpayers are allowed to offset qualified input VAT paid to suppliers against their output VAT liabilities. Net VAT balance between input VAT and output VAT is recorded in the line item of accrued expenses and other current liabilities on the face of balance sheet. The Group records revenue net of value added tax and related surcharges.

 

(w)Leases

 

From January 1, 2020, the Group adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-02, Lease (FASB ASC Topic 842). The adoption of Topic 842 resulted in the presentation of operating lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and operating lease liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. The Group has elected the package of practical expedients, which allows the Group not to reassess (1) whether any expired or existing contracts as of the adoption date are or contain a lease, (2) lease classification for any expired or existing leases as of the adoption date and (3) initial direct costs for any expired or existing leases as of the adoption date. Lastly, the Group elected the short-term lease exemption for all contracts with lease terms of 12 months or less.

 

At the inception of a contract, the Group assesses whether a contract is, or contains, a lease. A contract is or contains a lease if it conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for a consideration. To assess whether a contract is or contains a lease, the Group assesses whether the contract involves the use of an identified asset, whether it has the right to obtain substantially all the economic benefits from the use of the asset and whether it has the right to control the use of the asset.

 

The right-of-use assets and related lease liabilities are recognized at the lease commencement date. The Group recognizes operating lease expenses on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

 

Right-of-use of assets

 

The right-of-use of asset is initially measured at cost, which comprises the initial amount of the lease liability adjusted for any lease payments made at or before the commencement date, plus any initial direct costs incurred and less any lease incentive received.

 

Lease liabilities

 

Lease liability is initially measured at the present value of the outstanding lease payments at the commencement date, discounted using the Group’s incremental borrowing rate. Lease payments included in the measurement of the lease liability comprise fixed lease payments, variable lease payments that depend on an index or a rate, amounts expected to be payable under a residual value guarantee and any exercise price under a purchase option that the Group is reasonably certain to exercise. Lease liability is measured at amortized cost using the effective interest rate method. The Group applies the rate implicit in the lease, if available, as a discount rate to determine the present value of the lease payments. If the rate implicit in the lease is not known, the Group uses a discount rate reflective of the incremental borrowing rate. It is re-measured when there is a change in future lease payments, if there is a change in the estimate of the amount expected to be payable under a residual value guarantee, or if there is any change in the Group assessment of option purchases, contract extensions or termination options.

 

F-36

 

 

LZ TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LIMITED

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data)

 

3.Summary of significant accounting policies – Continued

 

(x)Net loss per share

 

In accordance with ASC 260, Earnings per Share, basic net loss per share is computed by dividing net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period. For the calculation of diluted net loss per share, the weighted average number of ordinary shares is adjusted by the effect of dilutive potential ordinary shares, including unvested restricted shares, ordinary shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding share options using the treasury stock method. The effect mentioned above is not included in the calculation of the diluted income per share when the inclusion of such effect would be anti-dilutive.

 

(y)Segment reporting

 

The Group uses the management approach in determining its operating segments. The Group’s chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) identified as the Group’s Chief Executive Officer, relies upon the consolidated results of operations as a whole when making decisions about allocating resources and assessing the performance of the Group. As a result of the assessment made by CODM, the Group has only one reportable segment. The Group does not distinguish between markets or segments for the purpose of internal reporting. As the Group’s long-lived assets are substantially located in the PRC, no geographical segments are presented.

 

(z)Recent accounting pronouncements

 

The Group is an “emerging growth company” (“EGC”) as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”). Under the JOBS Act, EGC can delay adopting new or revised accounting standards issued subsequent to the enactment of the JOBS Act until such time as those standards apply to private companies. As a result of the Group’s election to take advantage of this exemption, the Group’s financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with public company effective dates.

 

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, “Financial Instruments — Credit Losses”, which will require the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Further, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-04, ASU No. 2019-05, ASU No. 2019-10, ASU No. 2019-11 and ASU No. 2020-02 to provide additional guidance on the credit losses standard. For all other entities, the amendments for ASU No. 2016-13 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. Adoption of the ASUs is on a modified retrospective basis. The Group will adopt ASU No. 2016-13 from January 1, 2023. The Group is in the process of evaluating the impacts the standards will have on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, Income Taxes (“ASU 2019-12”), which simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing exceptions and simplifies the accounting for income taxes regarding franchise tax, good will, separate financial statements, enacted change in tax laws or rates and employee stock ownership plans. ASU 2019-12 will be effective for the Group for annual reporting periods beginning January 1, 2022 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning January 1, 2023. The Group in the process of evaluating the impacts the standards will have on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In November 2021, the FASB issued ASU No. 2021-10, Government Assistance (Topic 832). This ASU requires business entities to disclose information about government assistance they receive if the transactions were accounted for by analogy to either a grant or a contribution accounting model. The disclosure requirements include the nature of the transaction and the related accounting policy used, the line items on the balance sheets and statements of operations that are affected and the amounts applicable to each financial statement line item and the significant terms and conditions of the transactions. The ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2021. The disclosure requirements can be applied either retrospectively or prospectively to all transactions in the scope of the amendments that are reflected in the financial statements at the date of initial application and new transactions that are entered into after the date of initial application. The ASU is currently not expected to have a material impact on the Group’s financial results or financial position.

 

Other accounting standards that have been issued by FASB that do not require adoption until a future date are not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements upon adoption. The Group does not discuss recent standards that are not anticipated to have an impact on or are unrelated to its consolidated financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or disclosures.

 

F-37

 

 

LZ TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LIMITED

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data)

 

4.Deconsolidation of subsidiary

 

On November 23, 2022, the Group deconsolidated Fujian Henduoka Network Technology Co., Ltd. (“Henduoka”), and transferred 100% of the equity interests of Henduoka to Mr. Hongwei Zhang and Xiamen Rongguang Information Technology Co., Ltd, both of which are related parties of the Group, with the total consideration of RMB158.

 

Therefore, the Group was no longer able to operate and exert control over Henduoka, which was deconsolidated accordingly since the disposal date. The Group recorded a gain from the disposal of RMB4,318 in the income from the disposal of the subsidiary in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss for the year ended December 31, 2022 as Henduoka had accumulated deficits. The disposal of the subsidiary did not represent a strategic shift and did not have a major effect on the Group’s operation as none of the significance tests exceeded the 10% thresholds in accordance with SEC Regulation S-X 3-05.

 

5.Accounts receivable, net

 

The accounts receivable, net consists of the following:

 

   As of December 31, 
   2021   2022 
   RMB   RMB 
Accounts receivables   33,400    44,885 
Less: allowance of doubtful accounts   (268)   (268)
Total accounts receivable, net   33,132    44,617 

 

The movement of allowance of doubtful accounts is as follows:

 

   For the years ended
December 31,
 
   2021   2022 
   RMB   RMB 
Balance at beginning of the year   (268)   (268)
Addition in bad debt allowance   -    - 
Foreign currency translation adjustment   -    - 
Balance at end of the year   (268)   (268)

 

The Group recorded bad debt expense of nil and nil for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, respectively.

 

F-38

 

 

LZ TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LIMITED

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data)

 

6.Prepaid expenses and other current assets, net

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets, net consist of the following:

 

   As of December 31, 
   2021   2022 
Deductible input tax   6,157    5,119 
Prepaid expenses (1)   1,934    543 
Deposits   200    296 
Others   142    205 
    8,433    6,163 
Less: allowance of doubtful accounts (2)   (536)   (536)
Total prepaid expenses and other current assets, net   7,897    5,627 

 

(1)Prepaid expenses mainly represent prepaid commissions for promotion services, rent, water and electricity expenses, communication expenses, maintenance premiums, and other expenses related to the daily operation of the enterprise.

 

(2)Allowance of doubtful accounts mainly include unrecoverable advertising funds, compensation, etc. And no provision was made for the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2022.

 

7.Property and equipment, net

 

Property and equipment, net consists of the following:

 

   As of December 31, 
   2021   2022 
   RMB   RMB 
Machinery equipment(1)   45,614    46,570 
Office Equipment   2,689    3,135 
Vehicles   713    713 
Gross amount   49,016    50,418 
Less: accumulated depreciation   (7,176)   (16,201)
Total property and equipment, net   41,840    34,217 

 

(1)

The balance represented the community access control devices that the Group installed but did not sell.

  

(2)Depreciation expenses for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022 were RMB4,096 and RMB 9,025, respectively.

 

F-39

 

 

LZ TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LIMITED

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data)

 

8.Long-term investments

 

Long-term investments consist of equity investments accounted for using the equity method. The Group has significant influence over these investments but does not own a majority equity interest or otherwise control using the equity method.

 

The following table sets forth the changes in the Group’s long-term investments:

 

   Investments
accounted
for using
the equity
method
 
   RMB 
Balance as of December 31, 2020   1,459 
Loss from equity method investments   (180)
Balance as of December 31, 2021   1,279 
Receivable from disposal of investments   (1,727)
Income from disposal of investments   475 
Loss from equity method investments   (27)
Balance as of December 31, 2022   - 

 

As of December 31, 2021, the balance of long-term investment, net represent the investment in Wuhan Lianzhanghui Technology Co., Ltd., Qingdao Lianzhanghui Network Co., Ltd. and Jinan Lianzhang Network Co., Ltd.

 

As of December 31, 2022, the Group has disposed all of the above long-term investments to a principal shareholder.

 

9.Short-term borrowings

 

The balance of short-term borrowings consists of the following:

 

   As of December 31, 
   2021   2022 
   RMB   RMB 
Short-term borrowings from banks (1)        
Wuxi Branch of Bank of Communications Co., Ltd (a)   -    5,000 
Industrial Bank Co., Ltd. Xiamen Branch (b)   -    4,000 
    -    9,000 
           
Short-term borrowings from several third-party investors (the “Investors”) (2)   84,645    34,904 
Short-term borrowings, total   84,645    43,904 

 

(1)Short-term borrowings from banks

 

Short-term borrowings from banks represent amounts due to various banks to be matured within one year. The principal of the borrowings is due at maturity. Accrued interest is due either monthly or quarterly. The bank borrowings are for working capital and capital expenditure purposes.

 

(a)On November 22, 2022, Wuxi Media entered into a loan agreement with Wuxi Branch of Bank of Communications Co., Ltd in the total amount of RMB5,000 with one-year term. The interest rate is composed of the one-year LPR interest rate on the date of signing the contract which is 3.65% and floating upward by about 0.07%. The Group will make bullet repayment when it is due.

 

(b)On September 27, 2022, Xiamen Media initially entered into a loan agreement with Industrial Bank Co., Ltd. Xiamen Branch in the total amount of RMB4,000 with a one-year term. The interest rate is composed of the one-year LPR interest rate on the date of signing the contract which is 3.65% and floating upward by 0.35%. As of December 31, 2022, no payment has been made. The Group will make bullet repayment when it is due.

 

Interest expenses were RMB765 and RMB54 for short-term borrowings for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, respectively.

 

(2)Short-term borrowings from third-party cooperators (the “Cooperators”)

 

F-40

 

 

LZ TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LIMITED

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data)

 

9.Short-term borrowings – Continued

 

In 2020 and 2021, the Group entered into joint operating agreements with 89 third-party companies facilitated by an investment institution named Tianjiu Shared Intelligent Enterprise Service (“Tianjiu”), who was responsible for brand promotion and identifying parties with whom the Group could cooperate with to provide advertising promotion services to customers (“Cooperators”), which resulted in generating a total of RMB95,790, which is equal to the amount of cash received under the joint operating agreements (the “Original Subscription Amount”). Under the joint operating agreements, (i) Cooperators purchased community access control devices (the “Devices”) from the Group; (ii) the Group operated the Devices for the Cooperators, including equipment installation, providing technical support, running advertisements, equipment maintenance and so on; (iii) joint operating agreements were valid for five years; (iv) the Cooperators should pay the price of the device in full (the “Original Subscription Amount”) at the beginning of the cooperation period; and (v) the Cooperators and the Group shared revenues generated from the Devices.

  

The Group considers the funds, in substance, as interest-free investments payable to the Cooperators on their demand based on the following reasons: i) the Cooperators signed the joint operating agreements with the intention to invest in the Group; ii) the Group maintains the control over the Devices and enjoy the economic benefits of the Devices; iii) the Group repaid the Original Subscription Amount in the form of revenue sharing distribution. No conversion feature nor redemption feature was specified in the joint operating agreements. Therefore, the Group recognized the Original Subscription Amount as liabilities and classified as short-term borrowing as of December 31, 2021 and 2022. There was no revenue recognized for the sale of Devices as the control of Devices has never been transferred to the Cooperators but resided within the Group as machinery equity (Note 7). Instead, the proceeds received was accounted for as short-term borrowings, which were expected to be repaid or to be converted into equity, on the demand of the Cooperators.

 

In 2022, 45 of the Cooperators decided to terminate their joint operating agreements, and among which 41 (the “Investors”) entered into investment agreements (the “Investment Agreements”) with the Group and its shareholder, and 4 needed to be repaid with the Original Subscription Amount. Under the Investment Agreements, the Investors would invest in the Group in exchange for equity interests of the Group, directly or indirectly. The total amount of investment was RMB37,831, in exchange for 4.119% equity interests of the Group. As part of the Investment Agreement, the Group would regain the ownership of the Devices from the Investors.

 

As of December 31, 2022, there were still 44 Cooperators who haven’t signed the Investment Agreements or termination agreement. As of December 31, 2022, the Group had repaid the Original Subscription Amount in the amount of RMB23,055 in aggregate, for reduction of the borrowings.

 

The commission fees paid to Tianjiu, which were determined based on the number of Devices sold, were expensed as incurred in financial expenses in the consolidated financial statements. For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, the commission fees were RMB33,160 and nil, respectively.

 

As of the issuance date of this consolidation financial statements, there were other Cooperators who decided to terminate their joint operating agreements and invest in the Group’s equity, see Note 17 Subsequent Events for details.

  

10.Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

 

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consist of the following:

 

   As of December 31, 
   2021   2022 
   RMB   RMB 
Accrued service fee (1)   1,128    1,274 
Accrued payroll and welfare   2,847    2,083 
Other tax payable   209    310 
Deposit payables   291    154 
Merchant settlement payable (2)   6,885    158 
Others (3)   95    153 
Total accrued expenses and other current liabilities   11,455    4,132 

  

(1)Accrued service fees represent service fees mainly includes operation and maintenance expenses, installation expenses, information technology service expenses and other expenses related to the daily operation.

 

(2)Merchant settlement payable mainly includes the distribution commissions for e-commerce promotion services.

 

(3)Others mainly including daily reimbursement expenses.

 

F-41

 

 

LZ TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LIMITED

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data)

 

11.Leases

 

Effective on January 1, 2020, the Group adopted Topic 842. At the inception of a contract, the Group determines if the arrangement is, or contains, a lease. The leases of the Group mainly consisted of office leasing and warehouse leasing.

 

Supplemental balance sheet information related to operating lease was as follows:

 

   As of December 31, 
   2021   2022 
   RMB   RMB 
Right-of-use assets   378    - 
           
Lease liabilities – current   252    - 
Lease liabilities – non-current   109    - 
Total lease liabilities   361    - 

 

Supplemental balance sheet information related to operating lease was as follows:

 

   As of December 31, 
   2021   2022 
   RMB   RMB 
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities   (122)   (278)

 

The weighted average remaining lease terms and discount rates for the operating lease as of December 31, 2021 and 2022 were as follows:

 

   For the years ended
December 31,
 
   2021   2022 
Weighted average remaining lease term (years)   1.50    - 
Weighted average discount rate   4.75%   - 

 

For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, the lease expense was as follows:

 

   For the years ended
December 31,
 
   2021   2022 
   RMB   RMB 
Operating leases expense excluding short-term rental expense   130    284 
Short-term lease expense   388    767 
Total lease expense   518    1,051 

 

Since all the long-term lease contracts were signed by Henduoka, which was deconsolidated in November 2022, as of December 31, 2022, the Group did not have any long-term lease contracts, resulting in a balance of nil for Right-of-use assets and Lease liabilities. Operating leases expenses were incurred before the disposal of Henduoka. The future minimum payments under the Group’s operating leases as of December 31, 2022 is nil.

 

F-42

 

 

LZ TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LIMITED

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data)

 

12.Related party transactions

 

The table below sets forth the major related parties and their relationships with the Group as of December 31, 2021 and 2022:

 

No.   Names of related parties   Relationship
1   Xiamen Yinshan Longchang Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership)   Former shareholder of Lianzhang Portal
2   Cheng’s Investment Group Co., LTD. (Hainan)   Former shareholder of Lianzhang Portal
3   Tianjiu Shared Intelligent Enterprise Service   Former shareholder of Liangzhang Portal
4   Andong Zhang   Chairman of LZ Technology
5   Qiang Sun   Director of Lianzhang Portal
6   Runzhe Zhang   Chief Executive Officer of LZ Technology
7   Shenzhen Zhixing Finance Culture Media Co.   Qiang Sun is a mutual director of Lianzhang Portal and Shenzhen Zhixing Finance Culture Media Co.
8   Xiamen Qiushi Intelligent Network Equipment Co., LTD   80% owned by Andong Zhang
9   Fujian Qiushi Intelligent Co., LTD   61% owned by Andong Zhang
10   Xiamen Qiushi Intelligent Network Technology Co., LTD   61% owned by Andong Zhang
11   Hongwei Zhang   Brother in law of Andong Zhang
12   Xiamen Rongguang Information Technology Co., Ltd.   95% owned by Hongwei Zhang
13   Fujian Henduoka Network Technology Co., Ltd., or Henduoka   95.5% owned by Hongwei Zhang
14   Xiamen Xueyoubang Network Technology Co.   5% held by Hongwei Zhang
15   Jun Liu   Director of Xiamen Infinity
16   Hongling Zhang   Spouse of Andong Zhang

 

F-43

 

 

LZ TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LIMITED

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data)

 

12.Related party transactions – Continued

 

The Group entered into the following transactions with related parties:

 

   For the years ended
December 31,
 
   2021   2022 
   RMB   RMB 
Collection of loan to related parties        
Xiamen Qiushi Intelligent Network Technology Co., LTD   (31,326)   (20,647)
Fujian Qiushi Intelligent Co., LTD   (24,084)   - 
Xiamen Qiushi Intelligent Network Equipment Co., LTD   (5,010)   (215)
Xiamen Yinshan Longchang Investment Partnership (limited partnership)   -    (3,980)
Jun Liu   (1,401)   (324)
Fujian Henduoka Network Technology Co., Ltd.   -    (660)
Total   (61,821)   (25,826)
           
Loan from related parties          
Fujian Qiushi Intelligent Co., LTD   (10,000)   (8,229)
Xiamen Qiushi Intelligent Network Technology Co., LTD   (27,039)   (5,682)
Xiamen Qiushi Intelligent Network Equipment Co., LTD   (1,700)   (4,937)
Xiamen Yinshan Longchang Investment Partnership (limited partnership)   (4,900)   - 
Jun Liu   (3,850)   (26)
Total   (47,489)   (18,874)
           
Repayment of loan from related parties          
Fujian Qiushi Intelligent Co., LTD   9,728    31,858 
Xiamen Qiushi Intelligent Network Technology Co., LTD   2,777    7,140 
Xiamen Qiushi Intelligent Network Equipment Co., LTD   -    5,676 
Xiamen Yinshan Longchang Investment Partnership (limited partnership)   -    4,900 
Jun Liu   2,625    1,217 
Total   15,130    50,791 
           
Loan to related parties          
Xiamen Qiushi Intelligent Network Technology Co., LTD   54,667    483 
Fujian Qiushi Intelligent Co., LTD   24,084    - 
Xiamen Qiushi Intelligent Network Equipment Co., LTD   4,780    - 
Xiamen Yinshan Longchang Investment Partnership (limited partnership)   -    3,983 
Jun Liu   5,180    403 
Fujian Henduoka Network Technology Co., Ltd.   -    821 
Total   88,711    5,690 

 

F-44

 

 

LZ TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LIMITED

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data)

 

12.Related party transactions – Continued

 

   For the years ended
December 31,
 
   2021   2022 
   RMB   RMB 
Service and commodity purchase from related parties        
Equipment procurement        
Fujian Qiushi Intelligent Co., LTD   (27,809)   (894)
Xiamen Qiushi Intelligent Network Technology Co., LTD   (1,009)   (120)
    (28,818)   (1,014)
Sub-contract cost          
Xiamen Xueyoubang Network Technology Co.   -    (43,240)
    -    (43,240)
Service fee paid to a related party          
Tianjiu Shared Intelligent Enterprise Service Co., LTD   (31,211)   (70)
    (31,211)   (70)
Rent, utilities and cleaning fees          
Xiamen Qiushi Intelligent Network Equipment Co., LTD   (584)   (523)
    (584)   (523)
Total   (60,613)   (44,847)

 

   For the years ended
December 31,
 
   2021   2022 
   RMB   RMB 
Transfer of Long term investment        
Xiamen Yinshan Longchang Investment Partnership (limited partnership)   -    1,726 
Total   -    1,726 

 

   For the years ended
December 31,
 
   2021   2022 
   RMB   RMB 
Share Transfer        
Xiamen Rongguang Information Technology Co., Ltd.   -    150 
Hongwei Zhang   -    8 
Total   -    158 

 

   For the years ended
December 31,
 
   2021   2022 
   RMB   RMB 
Disposal gain        
Income from disposal of Fujian Henduoka Network Technology Co., Ltd.   -    4,318 
Total   -    4,318 

 

F-45

 

 

LZ TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LIMITED

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data)

 

12.Related party transactions – Continued

 

(a)The Group had the following balances with related parties:

 

Amounts due from related parties consisted of the following for the periods indicated:

 

      As of December 31, 
RPT  Nature  2021   2022 
     RMB   RMB 
Xiamen Qiushi Intelligent Network Equipment Co., LTD  Service and commodity purchase from related parties   -    118 
Tianjiu Shared Intelligent Enterprise Service Co., LTD  Service and commodity purchase from related parties   22    - 
Xiamen Qiushi Intelligent Network Technology Co., LTD  Loan to related parties   41,018    20,855 
Xiamen Qiushi Intelligent Network Equipment Co., LTD  Loan to related parties   215    - 
Xiamen Yinshan Longchang Investment Partnership (limited partnership)  Loan to related parties   -    3 
Jun Liu  Loan to related parties   3,779    - 
Fujian Henduoka Network Technology Co., Ltd.  Loan to related parties   -    2,791 
Qiang Sun  Expenses paid on behalf of the Company   -    5 
Xiamen Yinshan Longchang Investment Partnership (limited partnership)  Transfer of Long term investment   989    1,723 
Hongwei Zhang  Share Transfer   -    8 
Xiamen Rongguang Information Technology Co., Ltd.  Share Transfer   -    150 
Total      46,023    25,653 
Less: allowance of doubtful accounts      -    - 
Amounts due from related parties, net      46,023    25,653 

 

Amount due to related parties consisted of the following for the periods indicated:

 

      As of December 31, 
      2021   2022 
      RMB   RMB 
Fujian Qiushi Intelligent Co., LTD  Service and commodity purchase from related parties   (504)   - 
Xiamen Qiushi Intelligent Network Technology Co., LTD  Service and commodity purchase from related parties   (3)   - 
Xiamen Xueyoubang Network Technology Co.  Service and commodity purchase from related parties   -    (3,000)
Xiamen Qiushi Intelligent Network Equipment Co., LTD  Service and commodity purchase from related parties   -    (276)
Tianjiu Shared Intelligent Enterprise Service Co., LTD  Service fee paid to a related party   -    (48)
Xiamen Qiushi Intelligent Network Technology Co., LTD  Loan from related parties   (24,459)   (23,001)
Fujian Qiushi Intelligent Co., LTD  Loan from related parties   (23,629)   - 
Xiamen Qiushi Intelligent Network Equipment Co., LTD  Loan from related parties   (770)   (32)
Xiamen Yinshan Longchang Investment Partnership (limited partnership)  Loan from related parties   (4,900)   - 
Jun Liu  Loan from related parties   (1,375)   (184)
Runzhe Zhang  Expenses paid on behalf of the Company   (4)   (4)
Andong Zhang  Expenses paid on behalf of the Company   (5)   - 
Jun Liu  Expenses paid on behalf of the Company   (50)   - 
Fujian Henduoka Network Technology Co., Ltd.  Expenses paid on behalf of the Company   -    (296)
Amounts due to related parties      (55,699)   (26,841)

 

The amount due to a related party are unsecured interest-free and repayable on demand.

 

F-46

 

 

LZ TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LIMITED

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data)

 

12.Related party transactions – Continued

 

(b)Guarantee

 

On August 3, 2022, Andong Zhang, Hongling Zhang, and Xiamen Lianzhanghui Intelligent Technology Co.,Ltd. provided joint guarantees for the loans and borrowings of Fujian Qiushi Intelligent from July 25, 2022 to July 25, 2025. The total principal amount of the creditor’s rights does not exceed the credit limit of RMB 5,000 provided by the creditor to the debtor (the maximum amount including interest, liquidated damages, compensation and other amounts of the creditor’s rights is RMB 7,500). As of December 31, 2022, Fujian Qiushi Intelligent has borrowed RMB 5,000 from Xiamen Bank, with a guaranteed maturity date of August 15, 2023.

 

13.Income tax

 

Cayman Islands

 

The Company is incorporated in the Cayman Islands. Under the current laws of the Cayman Islands, the Company is not subject to income or capital gains taxes. Additionally, upon payments of dividends by the Company to its shareholders, no Cayman withholding tax will be imposed.

 

British Virgin Islands (“BVI”)

 

Dongrun Technology is incorporated in the British Virgin Islands. Under the current laws of the British Virgin Islands, Dongrun Technology is not subject to tax on income or capital gains. Additionally, upon payments of dividends by the Company to its shareholders, no BVI withholding tax will be imposed.

 

Hong Kong

 

The Company’s subsidiary incorporated in Hong Kong is subject to profits tax in Hong Kong at the rate of 16.5%. According to Tax (Amendment) (No. 3) Ordinance 2018 published by Hong Kong government, effective April 1, 2018, under the two-tiered profits tax rates regime, the profits tax rate for the first HKD2 million of assessable profits will be lowered to 8.25% (half of the rate specified in Schedule 8 to the Inland Revenue Ordinance (IRO)) for corporations. The Group was not subject to Hong Kong profit tax for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, respectively, as it did not have assessable profit during the periods presented.

 

PRC

 

Under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law (the “EIT Law”), the standard enterprise income tax rate for domestic enterprises and foreign invested enterprises is 25%. EIT grants preferential tax treatment to High and New Technology Enterprises (“HNTEs”) at a rate of 15%, subject to a requirement that they re-apply for HNTE status every three years. The Company’s subsidiaries Lianzhang Portal and its branch company obtained its HNTE status in 2020, and will enjoy the preferential tax rate of 15% for the period of 3 years.

 

The EIT Law also provides that an enterprise established under the laws of a foreign country or region but whose “de facto management body” is located in the PRC be treated as a resident enterprise for PRC tax purposes and consequently be subject to the PRC income tax at the rate of 25% for its global income. The Implementing Rules of the EIT Law merely define the location of the “de facto management body “as” the place where the exercising, in substance, of the overall management and control of the production and business operation, personnel, accounting, property, of a non-PRC company is located.” Based on a review of surrounding facts and circumstances, the Group does not believe that it is likely that its operations outside of the PRC should be considered as a resident enterprise for the PRC tax purposes for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022.

 

According to Caishui [2019] No. 13, small and low-profit enterprises have updated their preferential tax conditions. The entity should meet the three conditions: (1) The annual taxable income does not exceed RMB3.0 million; (2) The number of employees does not exceed 300; (3) The total assets does not exceed RMB50.0 million. Prior to 2021, for small, low-profit enterprises whose annual taxable income does not exceed RMB1.0 million, the preferential income tax rate was 5%; for the annual taxable income exceeding RMB1.0 million but not more than RMB3.0 million, the preferential income tax rate was 10%. In 2021, for small, low-profit enterprises whose annual taxable income does not exceed RMB1.0 million, the preferential income tax rate was 2.5%; for the annual taxable income exceeding RMB1.0 million but not more than RMB3.0 million, the preferential income tax rate was 10%.

 

Except for Lianzhang Portal, Lianzhang Media and Xiamen Media, the remaining subsidiaries are all subject to tax incentives for small and low-profit enterprises.

 

F-47

 

 

LZ TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LIMITED

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data)

 

13.Income tax – Continued

 

The following table sets forth current and deferred portion of income tax expense of the Company’s subsidiaries:

 

   For the years ended
December 31,
 
   2021   2022 
   RMB   RMB 
Current income tax expenses   8         - 
Deferred income tax expenses   -    - 
Total   8    - 

 

A reconciliation between the Group’s actual provision for income taxes and the provision at the PRC, mainland statutory rate is as follows:

 

   For the years ended
December 31,
 
   2021   2022 
   RMB   RMB 
Loss before income tax   48,450    14,797 
Expected taxation at PRC statutory tax rate   (12,113)   (3,699)
Effect of income tax rate differences   9,592    3,616 
Research and development additional deduction   (307)   (498)
Effect of tax rate changes on deferred taxes   (8,763)   (3,961)
Non-deductible expenses   42    (110)
Income not subject to tax   -    (175)
Change in valuation allowance   11,557    4,827 
Income tax expenses   8    - 

 

As of December 31, 2021 and 2022, the Company did not have any significant unrecognized uncertain tax positions and the Company does not believe that its unrecognized tax benefits will change over the next twelve months. For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022 the Company did not have any significant interest or penalties associated with uncertain tax positions.

 

The significant components of the net deferred tax assets are summarized below:

 

   As of December 31, 
   2021   2022 
   RMB   RMB 
Deferred tax assets:        
Net operating loss carried forward   13,333    19,506 
Advertisement expense   -    37 
Impairment on property and equipment   5,421    6,079 
Deferred revenue   8,657    7,719 
GAAP difference-others   342    53 
Allowance of doubtful accounts   940    126 
Less: Valuation allowance   (28,693)   (33,520)
Total deferred tax assets, net   -    - 

 

The Group operates through subsidiaries and valuation allowance is considered for each of the entities on an individual basis. The Group recorded valuation allowance against deferred tax assets of those entities that are in a cumulative financial loss position and are not forecasting profits in the near future as of December 31, 2021 and 2022. In making such determination, the Group also evaluates a variety of factors including the Group’s operating history, accumulated deficit, existence of taxable temporary differences and reversal periods. The Group has recognized a valuation allowance of RMB28,693 and RMB33,520 for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, respectively.

 

F-48

 

 

LZ TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LIMITED

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data)

 

13.Income tax – Continued

 

Changes in valuation allowance are as follows:

 

   As of December 31, 
   2021   2022 
   RMB   RMB 
Balance at beginning of the year   17,136    28,693 
Additions   11,557    6,525 
Decreases   -    (1,698)
Balance at end of the year   28,693    33,520 

 

For entities incorporated in PRC mainland, net loss can be carried forward for five years, for entities qualified as HTNEs, net loss can be carried forward for ten years. As of December 31, 2021 and 2022, the Group had deferred tax assets of net operating loss carryforwards of approximately RMB13,333 and RMB19,506, respectively.

 

As of December 31, 2022, net operating loss carryforwards from PRC will expire, if unused, in the following amounts: 

 

   Net operating loss
carryforwards
due by schedule
 
   RMB 
2023   122 
2024   212 
2025   2,287 
2026   7,993 
2027   21,043 
Thereafter   56,973 
Total   88,630 

 

14.Equity

 

Ordinary shares

 

Upon the Company’s incorporation on November 23, 2022, it had an authorized share capital of $50,000 divided into 50,000 shares of a par value of $1.00 each. On June 23, 2023, par value of $1.00 was subdivided into 10,000 shares, par value of $0.0001 each. As a result of the subdivision, the authorized share capital of the Company changed from $50,000 divided into 50,000 shares with a par value of $1.00 each to $50,000 divided into 500,000,000 shares with a par value of $0.0001 each. In addition, immediately after the subdivision, the authorized share capital of the Company was re-classified and re-designated into $50,000 divided into 20,000,000 Class A Ordinary Shares, par value of $0.0001 each and 480,000,000 Class B Ordinary Shares, par value of $0.0001 each.

 

Therefore, on June 23, 2023, the Company authorized 500,000,000 ordinary shares with par value of $0.0001 per share, comprised of 20,000,000 Class A ordinary shares authorized and 480,000,000 Class B ordinary shares authorized. And the Company issued 63,871,650 ordinary shares, comprised of (i) 9,589,248 Class A ordinary shares of par value $0.0001 each and (ii) 54,282,402 Class B ordinary shares of par value $0.0001 each. The issuance on June 23, 2023 and the share reorganization completed as of August 18, 2023 were considered as being part of the reorganization of the Group that has been completed.

 

Capital injection

 

For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Group obtained capital injection of RMB10,800 from Cheng’s Investment Group Co., LTD. (Hainan) (“Cheng’s Investment”), among which RMB8,952 attributable to LZ Technology Holdings Limited.

 

For the year   ended December 31, 2022, the Group obtained capital injection of RMB1,800 from Cheng’s Investment and RMB21,965 from Huayuan Hengying (Xiamen) Equity Investment Partnership (limited partnership), respectively, among which RMB17,940 attributable to LZ Technology Holdings Limited.

 

F-49

 

 

LZ TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LIMITED

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data)

 

14.Equity – Continued

 

Restricted net assets

 

A significant portion of the Group’s operations are conducted through its PRC (excluding Hong Kong) subsidiaries, the Company’s ability to pay dividends is primarily dependent on receiving distributions of funds from subsidiaries. Relevant PRC statutory laws and regulations permit payments of dividends by subsidiaries only out of their retained earnings, if any, as determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations, and after it has met the PRC requirements for appropriation to statutory reserves. The Group is required to make appropriations to certain reserve funds, comprising the statutory surplus reserve and the discretionary surplus reserve, based on after-tax net income determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles of the PRC (“PRC GAAP”). Appropriations to the statutory surplus reserve are required to be at least 10% of the after-tax net income determined in accordance with PRC GAAP until the reserve is equal to 50% of the entity’s registered capital. Appropriations to the surplus reserve are made at the discretion of the Board of Directors. Paid-in capital of subsidiaries included in the Company’s consolidated net assets are also non-distributable for dividend purposes.

 

As a result of these PRC laws and regulations, the Company’s PRC subsidiaries are restricted in their ability to transfer a portion of their net assets to the Company. As of December 31, 2021 and 2022, net assets restricted in the aggregate, which include paid-in capital and additional paid-in capital of the Company’s subsidiaries, that are included in the Company’s consolidated net assets were approximately RMB112,373 and RMB168,144, respectively.

 

15.Commitments and contingencies

 

(a)Operating lease commitments

 

As of December 31, 2022, there were no unconditional purchase obligations, such as future lease payment under non-cancelable agreements, that have not been recognized on the balance sheet.

 

(b)Contingencies

 

In the ordinary course of business, the Group may be subject to legal proceedings regarding contractual and employment relationships and a variety of other matters. The Group records contingent liabilities resulting from such claims, when a loss is assessed to be probable and the amount of the loss is reasonably estimable. In the opinion of management, there were no significant pending or threatened claims and litigation as of December 31, 2022 and through the issuance date of these consolidated financial statements.

 

16.Concentration of credit risk

 

Financial instruments that potentially expose the Group to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of accounts receivable. The Group conducts credit evaluations of its customers, and generally does not require collateral or other security from them. The Group evaluates its collection experience and long outstanding balances to determine the need for an allowance for doubtful accounts. The Group conducts periodic reviews of the financial condition and payment practices of its customers to minimize collection risk on accounts receivable.

 

The following table sets forth a summary of single customers who represent 10% or more of the Group’s total accounts receivable:

 

   As of December 31, 
   2021   2022 
Percentage of the Group’s accounts receivables        
Customer A   *    51%
Customer B   40%   25%
Customer C   13%   8%
Customer D   23%   6%
Customer E   15%   * 

 

The following table sets forth a summary of single customers who represent 10% or more of the Group’s total revenue.

 

   As of December 31, 
   2021   2022 
Percentage of the Group’s total revenue        
Customer A   *    32%
Customer B   14%   * 
Customer C   *    28%
Customer D   50%   25%

 

*Represented the percentage below 10%

 

F-50

 

 

LZ TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LIMITED

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data)

 
16.Concentration of credit risk – Continued

 

The following table sets forth a summary of single suppliers who represent 10% or more of the Group’s total purchases:

 

   As of December 31, 
   2021   2022 
Percentage of the Group’s total purchase        
Supplier A   *    33%
Supplier B   19%   * 
Supplier C   13%   * 
Supplier D   *    29%
Supplier E   32%   * 
Supplier F   13%   18%

 

*Represented the percentage below 10%

 

17.Subsequent events

 

The Group has evaluated subsequent events through August 18, 2023, the date of issuance of the consolidated financial statements, except for the events mentioned below which occurred through November 3, 2023, the Group did not identify any subsequent events with material financial impact on the Group’s consolidated financial statements. 

 

a)Termination of joint operating agreements with Cooperators

 

As of the issuance date of these consolidated financial statements, there were other 16 Cooperators decided to terminate their joint operating agreements and invested into the Group in exchange for 1.15% equity interests of the Group indirectly. The total amount of investment was RMB10,028 and has been received from these Cooperators in 2021 upon entering into the joint operating agreements, which was recorded as short-term borrowings. Among them, 8 Cooperators have completed the investment and total amount of RMB5,449 of the borrowings was converted into the Group’s equity.

 

b)Capital injection

  

Vanshion Investment Group Limited, one of LZ Technology’s principal shareholders, is 66.7% owned by Xiamen Dongling Weiye Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership) (“Dongling Partnership”). Dongling Partnership is managed by its executive partner, Xiamen Dongling Technology Co., Ltd. (“Dongling Technology”) which holds approximately 26.55% of Dongling Partnership. Additionally, Vanshion Investment Group Limited is 33.3% owned by Wuxi Zhanghui Anying Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership), which, in turn, is 59.75% owned by Dongling Technology. Mr. Andong Zhang and his spouse, Ms. Hongling Zhang, together hold 100% equity interests of Dongling Technology.

 

On May 24, 2023, Dongling Technology transferred 2.5% shares of Lianzhang Portal, who is the major subsidiary of the Group, to Jinfu No.1 (Huzhou) Equity Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership) (“Jinfu No.1”), And the consideration, which is calculated according to the valuation of Lianzhang Portal of RMB2,000,000, have been received by Dongling Technology. The transfer of 2.5% shares is the transaction between the Group’s two shareholders, Dongling Technology and Jinfu No. 1, the only impact to the Group is the changes in the shareholders’ proportion in equity.

 

Then, Jinfu No.1 made a capital injection with a total amount of RMB50,000 on June 23, 2023, and obtained another 1.95% equity of the Group.

 

c) New bank borrowings acquired

 

On August 30, 2023, the Group obtained credit facilities from Agricultural Bank of China of RMB10,000 within ten years with a building from the Group’s shareholder Mr. Andong Zhang pledged. The interest rate is composed of the one-year LPR interest rate on the date of signing the contract which is 3.4% and floating downward by about 0.05%.

 

The Group may withdraw the loan through the business counters or self-service electronic channels provided by the lender as needed within the credit facilities. The term of the borrowings shall not exceed one year and the expiration date shall not exceed the expiration date of the term of validity of the credit facilities. The minimum term of the borrowings shall be one day.

 

On September 14, 2023, the Group used the above credit facilities and obtained RMB10,000 borrowings from Agricultural Bank of China within the one-year term. The Group will make bullet repayment when it is due and borrow another loan as needed within the credit facilities.

 

F-51

 

 

LZ TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LIMITED

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data)

 

18.Condensed financial information of the parent company

 

The Company performed a test on the restricted net assets of consolidated subsidiary in accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation S-X Rule 4-08 (e) (3), “General Notes to Financial Statements” and concluded that it was applicable for The Company to disclose the financial statements for the parent Company.

 

Condensed Balance Sheets

 

   As of December 31, 
   2021   2022 
   RMB   RMB 
ASSETS        
Investment in subsidiaries   -    13,918 
Total assets   -    13,918 
           
LIABILITIES          
Investment deficit in subsidiaries   27,512    - 
Total liabilities   27,512    - 
           
Shareholders’ (deficit)/equity          
Class A ordinary shares (par value of US$0.0001 per share; 20,000,000 Class A ordinary shares authorized, 9,589,248 Class A ordinary shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2021 and 2022, respectively)*   7    7 
Class B ordinary shares (par value of US$0.0001 per share; 480,000,000 Class B ordinary shares authorized, 48,445,122 and 52,471,800 Class B ordinary shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2021 and 2022, respectively) *   33    36 
Additional paid-in capital   112,373    168,144 
Accumulated deficit   (139,925)   (154,269)
Total shareholders’ (deficit)/equity   (27,512)   13,918 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ (DEFICIT)/EQITY   -    13,918 

 

Condensed Statements of operations and comprehensive income

 

   For the years ended
December 31,
 
   2021   2022 
   RMB   RMB 
Operating loss:        
Equity in loss of subsidiaries   (45,060)   (13,645)
Loss before income tax expense   (45,060)   (13,645)
Income tax expense   -    - 
Net loss   (45,060)   (13,645)

 

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows

 

   For the years ended
December 31,
 
   2021   2022 
   RMB   RMB 
Cash flows from operating activities:        
Net loss   (45,060)   (13,645)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:          
Equity in loss of subsidiaries   45,060    13,645 
Net cash provided by operating activities   -    - 
Net cash provided by investing activities   -    - 
Net cash provided by financing activities   -    - 
Net increase in cash   -    - 
Cash at beginning of year   -    - 
Cash at end of year   -    - 

 

F-52

 

 

Class B Ordinary Shares

 

 

 

 

 

LZ Technology Holdings Limited

 

 

 

 

 

PROSPECTUS

 

 

 

 

 

EF Hutton LLC

 

 

[   ], 2024

 

Until [●], 2024 (the 25th day after the date of this prospectus), all dealers that effect transactions in these securities, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to the dealers’ obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as underwriters and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.

 

 

 

PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS

 

Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

 

Cayman Islands law does not limit the extent to which a company’s memorandum and articles of association may provide for indemnification of officers and directors, except to the extent any such provision may be held by the Cayman Islands courts to be contrary to public policy, such as to provide indemnification against civil fraud or the consequences of committing a crime. The post offering memorandum and articles of association of LZ Technology provide that LZ Technology shall indemnify its directors and officers, and their personal representatives, against all actions, proceedings, costs, charges, expenses, losses, damages or liabilities incurred or sustained by such persons, other than by reason of such person’s dishonesty, wilful default or fraud, in or about the conduct of LZ Technology’s business or affairs (including as a result of any mistake of judgment) or in the execution or discharge of his duties, powers, authorities or discretions, including without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, any costs, expenses, losses or liabilities incurred by such person in defending (whether successfully or otherwise) any civil proceedings concerning LZ Technology or its affairs in any court whether in the Cayman Islands or elsewhere.

 

Under the form of indemnification agreement filed as an exhibit to this registration statement, we will agree to indemnify our directors and executive officers against certain liabilities and expenses incurred by such persons in connection with claims made by reason of their being such a director or executive officer.

 

The form of underwriting agreement filed as an exhibit to this registration statement will also provide for indemnification by the underwriter of us and our officers and directors for certain liabilities.

 

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling us under the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.

 

Item 7. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities.

 

The following sets forth information regarding all unregistered sales of our securities since our inception on November 23, 2022.

 

All of these sales were exempt from registration under the Securities Act by reason of Section 4(2) of the Securities Act, as transactions by an issuer not involving a public offering, or were exempt from registration pursuant to Regulation S. The recipients of securities in each of these transactions represented their intentions to acquire the securities for investment only and not with a view to or for sale in connection with any distribution of the securities, and appropriate legends were affixed to the share certificates issued in such transactions and there were no investors who are citizens or residents of the United States. We relied on information from purchasers that they were accredited investors and/or such investors were provided adequate information and were otherwise determined to be suitable. In all cases, there was no public solicitation. The issuances of the securities described below were effected without the involvement of underwriters.

 

II-1

 

 

Upon LZ Technology’s incorporation on November 23, 2022, it had an authorized share capital of $50,000 divided into 50,000 shares of a par value of $1.00 each. On November 23, 2022, one ordinary share, par value of $1.00, was allotted and issued to the initial subscriber, Sertus Nominees (Cayman) Limited, who transferred the share to LZ Holdings, on the same day. In addition, an additional 49,999 ordinary shares, par value of $1.00 each, were allotted and issued to LZ Holdings for a total consideration of $49,999. As a result, LZ Technology had 50,000 ordinary shares, par value of $1.00 each, issued and outstanding on November 23, 2022.

 

On June 23, 2023, LZ Technology repurchased 49,999 ordinary shares, $1.00 par value, from LZ Holdings for $49,999. LZ Technology paid the purchase price out of its capital and the repurchased shares were immediately cancelled. As a result of the repurchase, LZ Technology had one ordinary share, $1.00 par value issued and outstanding, which was owned by LZ Holdings.

 

Immediately following the above repurchase of shares, each issued and unissued share of LZ Technology, par value of $1.00 was subdivided into 10,000 shares, par value of $0.0001 each. As a result of the subdivision, the authorized share capital of LZ Technology changed from $50,000 divided into 50,000 shares with a par value of $1.00 each to $50,000 divided into 500,000,000 shares with a par value of $0.0001 each. In addition, immediately after the subdivision, the authorized share capital of LZ Technology was re-classified and re-designated into $50,000 divided into 20,000,000 Class A Ordinary Shares, par value of $0.0001 each and 480,000,000 Class B Ordinary Shares, par value of $0.0001 each. The then issued, post-subdivision 10,000 ordinary shares owned by LZ Holdings, were re-classified and re-designated as 10,000 Class A Ordinary Shares.

 

Following the re-classification and re-designation referred to above, LZ Technology allotted and issued the following shares:

 

9,579,248 Class A Ordinary Shares to LZ Holdings for $957,9248;

 

11,807,883 Class B Ordinary Shares to LZ Holdings for $1180.7883;

 

6,239,909 Class B Ordinary Shares to BJ Tojoy Shared Enterprise Consulting Ltd for $623.9909;

 

15,000,000 Class B Ordinary Shares to Vanshion Investment Group Limited (万盛投资集团有限公司)for $1,500;

 

16,942,491 Class B Ordinary Shares to Youder Investment Group Limited (友达投资集团有限公司)for $1,694.2491;

 

1,259,273 Class B Ordinary Shares to Sing Family Investment Limited for $125.9273; and

 

3,032,846 Class B Ordinary Shares to Kim Full Investment Company Limited for $303.2846.

 

Upon completion of the above reorganization, the authorized share capital of LZ Technology became $50,000 divided into 500,000,000 shares of a nominal or par value of $0.0001 each, comprising of 20,000,000 Class A Ordinary Shares of a par value of $0.0001 each and 480,000,000 Class B Ordinary Shares of a par value of $0.0001 each. As of the date of the prospectus, there are 9,589,248 Class A Ordinary Shares and 54,282,402 Class B Ordinary Shares issued and outstanding.

 

II-2

 

 

Item 8. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.

 

(a) Exhibits

 

Exhibit No.   Description
1.1*   Form of Underwriting Agreement
3.1   Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association of the registrant (currently effective)
3.2   Form of Second Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association of the registrant (to be effective upon the effectiveness of this registration statement)
4.1*   Specimen Certificate for Class B Ordinary Shares
5.1   Opinion of Conyers Dill & Pearman regarding the validity of the Class B Ordinary Shares being registered
8.1   Opinion of Conyers Dill & Pearman regarding certain Cayman Islands tax matters
8.2   Opinion of Hylands Law Firm regarding certain PRC tax matters (included in Exhibit 99.2)
8.3   Opinion of Potomac Law Group regarding certain U.S. tax matters
10.1   Form of Indemnification Agreement between the Registrant and its directors and executive officers
10.2†   Form of Employment Agreement between the Registrant and its executive officers
10.3   Business Cooperation Agreement between Fujian Henduoka Network Technology Co., Ltd. and Lianzhang Portal Network Technology Co., Ltd., dated January 1, 2023
10.4   Platform Service Agreement between Xiamen Infinity Network Technology Co., Ltd. and Fujian Henduoka Network Technology Co., Ltd. dated December 1, 2022
10.5   Strategic Cooperation Framework Agreement between Guangzhou Xie Lv Information Technology Co., Ltd. and Xiamen LianZhang Culture Media Co., Ltd. dated June 5, 2022
10.6   Form of Advertising Placement Agreement between East Entertainment (Fujian) Culture Media Co., Ltd. and LianZhang Media Co., Ltd.
10.7   Form of Baidu Alliance Membership Registration Agreement between LianZhang Media Co., Ltd. and Beijing Baidu Netcom Science Technology Co., Ltd.
21.1   List of subsidiaries of the registrant
23.1   Consent of Marcum Asia CPAs LLP
23.2   Consent of Conyers Dill & Pearman (contained in Exhibits 5.1 and 8.1)
23.3   Consent of Hylands Law Firm (included in Exhibit 99.2)
23.4   Consent of Potomac Law Group (included in Exhibit 8.3)
24.1   Power of Attorney (included in the signature page)
99.1   Code of Ethics and Business Conduct of the registrant
99.2   Opinion of Hylands Law Firm regarding certain PRC law matters
99.3   Consent of Independent Director Chung Chi Ng
99.4   Consent of Independent Director Qisheng You
99.5   Consent of Independent Director Li Zhang
99.6   Audit Committee Charter
99.7   Compensation Committee Charter
99.8   Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter
99.9   Consent of Frost & Sullivan
107   Filing Fee Table

 

 

*To be filed by amendment
Executive Compensation Plan or Agreement

 

II-3

 

 

(b) Financial Statement Schedules

 

Schedules have been omitted because the information required to be set forth therein is not applicable or is shown in the financial statements or the notes thereto.

 

Item 9. Undertakings.

 

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to provide to the underwriter at the closing specified in the underwriting agreements, certificates in such denominations and registered in such names as required by the underwriter to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.

 

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant under the provisions described in Item 6, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

(a) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

 

  (1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant under Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.

 

  (2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

  

II-4

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form F-1 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Huzhou, China, on the 22nd day of December, 2023.

 

  LZ Technology Holdings Limited
   
  By: /s/ Runzhe Zhang
  Name: Runzhe Zhang
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Runzhe Zhang and Weihua Chen, and each of them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments, including post-effective amendments, to this registration statement, and any registration statement relating to the offering covered by this registration statement and filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, and to file the same, with exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully for all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorneys in fact and agents or their substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

Signature

 

Title

 

Date

         

/s/ Runzhe Zhang

  Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) and Director   December 22, 2023
Runzhe Zhang        
         

/s/ Weihua Chen

  Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)   December 22, 2023
Weihua Chen        
         

/s/ Andong Zhang

  Chairman of the Board of Directors   December 22, 2023
Andong Zhang        

 

II-5

 

 

SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE IN THE UNITED STATES 

 

Pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, the undersigned, the duly authorized representative in the United States of LZ Technology Holdings Limited has signed this registration statement or amendment thereto in New York on December 22, 2023.

 

 

Cogency Global Inc.

 

Authorized U.S. Representative

   
  By:

/s/ Colleen A De Vries

  Name:  Colleen A De Vries
  Title:

Senior Vice President on behalf of Cogency Global Inc.

 

 

II-6

 

Exhibit 3.1

 

THE CAYMAN ISLANDS

 

THE COMPANIES ACT (AS AMENDED)

EXEMPTED COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES

 

 

Amended and Restated

Memorandum of Association

 

of

 

LZ Technology Holdings Limited

联掌科技控股有限公司

 

(Adopted pursuant to a special resolution passed on June 23, 2023)

 

 

 

 

THE CAYMAN ISLANDS

THE COMPANIES ACT (AS AMENDED)

EXEMPTED COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED

MEMORANDUM OF ASSOCIATION

 

OF

 

LZ Technology Holdings Limited

联掌科技控股有限公司

 

(Adopted pursuant to a special resolution passed on June 23, 2023)

 

(the “Company”)

 

1.

Name

 

 

The name of the Company is LZ Technology Holdings Limited 联掌科技控股有限公司.

 

2.

Registered Office

 

 

The registered office of the Company shall be situated at the Office of Sertus Incorporations (Cayman) Limited, Sertus Chambers, Governors Square, Suite # 5-204, 23 Lime Tree Bay Avenue, P.O. Box 2547, Grand Cayman, KY1-1104, Cayman Islands, or such other place in the Cayman Islands as the Directors may, from time to time decide, being the registered office of the Company.

 

3.

General Objects and Powers

 

 

The objects for which the Company is established are unrestricted and the Company shall have full power and authority to carry out any object not prohibited by Section 7(4) of The Companies Act (As Amended) or as the same may be amended from time to time, or any other law of the Cayman Islands.

 

4.

Limitations on the Company’s Business

 

4.1 For the purposes of the Companies Act (As Amended) the Company has no power to:

 

(a)carry on the business of a Bank or Trust Company without being licensed in that behalf under the provisions of the Banks & Trust Companies Act (As Amended); or

 

(b)to carry on Insurance Business from within the Cayman Islands or the business of an Insurance Manager, Agent, Sub-agent or Broker without being licensed in that behalf under the provisions of the Insurance Act (2010 Revision); or

 

(c)to carry on the business of Company Management without being licensed in that behalf under the provisions of the Companies Management Act (As Amended).

 

4.2

The Company shall not trade in the Cayman Islands with any person, firm or corporation except in furtherance of the business of the Company carried on outside the Cayman Islands; provided that nothing in this section shall be construed as to prevent the Company effecting and concluding contracts in the Cayman Islands, and exercising in the Cayman Islands all of its powers necessary for the carrying on of its business outside the Cayman Islands.

 

 

 
- 1 -
CAY-E1-21© Sertus Incorporations Limited 2015

 

 

5.

Company Limited by Shares

 

 

The Company is a company limited by shares. The liability of each member is limited to the amount, if any, unpaid on the shares held by such member.

 

6.

Authorised Shares

 

 

The capital of the Company is USD50,000.00 divided into 500,000,000 shares of a nominal or par value of USD0.0001 each, comprising of 20,000,000 Class A Ordinary Shares of a par value of US$0.0001 each and 480,000,000 Class B Ordinary Shares of a par value of US$0.0001 each. Subject to the provisions of the Companies Act (As Amended) and the Articles of Association of the Company, the Company shall have power to redeem or purchase any of its shares and to increase, reduce, sub-divide or consolidate the share capital and to issue all or any part of its capital whether original, redeemed, increased or reduced with or without any preference, priority or special privilege or subject to any postponement of rights or to any conditions or restrictions whatsoever and so that unless the conditions of issue shall otherwise expressly provide every issue of shares whether stated to be ordinary, preference or otherwise shall be subject to the powers on the part of the Company hereinbefore provided.

 

7.

Continuation

 

  Subject to the provisions of the Companies Act (As Amended) and the Articles of Association of the Company, the Company may exercise the power contained in Section 206 of The Companies Act (As Amended) to deregister in the Cayman Islands and be registered by way of continuation under the laws of any jurisdiction outside the Cayman Islands.

 

We, the undersigned, whose name and address are hereto given below are desirous of being formed into a Company in pursuance of this Memorandum of Association, and agree to take the number of shares in the capital of the Company set opposite our name.

 

 
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THE CAYMAN ISLANDS

 

THE COMPANIES ACT (AS AMENDED)

EXEMPTED COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES

 

 

Amended and Restated

Articles of Association

 

of

 

LZ Technology Holdings Limited

联掌科技控股有限公司

(Adopted pursuant to a special resolution passed on June 23,2023)

 

 

 

 

THE CAYMAN ISLANDS

 

THE COMPANIES ACT (AS AMENDED)

 

ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

 

OF

 

LZ Technology Holdings Limited

联掌科技控股有限公司

(the “Company”)

 

 

1. Table A  

 

  The Table A in the First Schedule of The Companies Act (As Amended) shall not apply to this Company and the following shall constitute the Articles of Association of the Company.  

 

2. Definitions and Interpretation  

 

2.1

References in these Articles of Association (“Articles of Association” or “Articles”) to the “Companies Act” shall mean The Companies Act (As Amended) of the Cayman Islands and any statutory amendments or re-enactment thereof. In these Articles, save where the content otherwise requires:

 

Class A Ordinary Shares” means the class A ordinary shares of par value US$0.0001 each in the share capital of the Company having the rights as set out in these Articles;

 

Class B Ordinary Shares” means the class B ordinary shares of par value US$0.0001 each in the share capital of the Company having the rights as set out in these Articles;

 

Directors” and “Board of Directors” means the Directors of the Company for the time being, or as the case may be, the Directors assembled as a board or as a committee thereof, and “Director” means any one of the Directors;

 

Members” means those persons whose names are entered in the register of members as the holders of shares and includes each subscriber of the Memorandum pending the issue to him of the subscriber share or shares, and “Member” means any one of them;

 

Memorandum of Association” or “Memorandum” means the Memorandum of Association of the Company, as amended and re-stated from time to time;

 

Ordinary Resolution” means a resolution:

 

(a)passed by a simple majority of the votes cast by such Members as, being entitled to do so, vote in person or, where proxies are allowed, by proxy at a general meeting of the Company and where a poll is taken regard shall be had in computing a majority to the number of votes to which each Member is entitled; or

 

(b)approved in writing by all of the Members entitled to vote at a general meeting of the Company in one or more instruments each signed by one or more of the Members and the effective date of the resolution so adopted shall be the date on which the instrument, or the last of such instruments if more than one, is executed;

 

 
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Ordinary Shares” means the Class A Ordinary Shares and the Class B Ordinary Shares, or any one of them as the context may require;

 

Paid up” means paid up as to the par value and any premium payable in respect of the issue of any shares and includes credited as paid up;

 

Register of Members” means the register to be kept by the Company in accordance with Section 40 of the Companies Act;

 

Seal” means the Common Seal of the Company (if any) including any facsimile thereof;

 

Shares” means shares in the capital of the Company, including a fraction of any of them and “Share” means any one of them;

 

Special Resolution” means a resolution passed in accordance with Section 60 of the Companies Act, being a resolution:

 

(a)passed by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the votes cast by such Members as, being entitled to do so, vote in person or, where proxies are allowed, by proxy at a general meeting of the Company of which notice specifying the intention to propose the resolution as a Special Resolution has been duly given and where a poll is taken regard shall be had in computing a majority to the number of votes to which each Member is entitled, or

 

(b)approved in writing by all of the Members entitled to vote at a general meeting of the Company in one or more instruments each signed by one or more of the Members and the effective date of the Special Resolution so adopted shall be the date on which the instrument or the last of such instruments if more than one, is executed.

 

2.2 In these Articles, words and expressions defined in the Companies Act shall have the same meaning and, unless otherwise required by the context, (a) the singular shall include the plural and vice versa; (b) the masculine shall include the feminine and the neuter and references to persons shall include companies and all legal entities capable of having a legal existence; (c) “may” shall be construed as permissive and “shall” shall be construed as imperative; (d) a reference to a dollar or dollars (or $) is a reference to dollars of the United States of America; and (e) references to a statutory enactment shall include reference to any amendment or re-enactment thereof for the time being in force.  

 

3. Share Certificates  

 

3.1 Every person whose name is entered as a Member in the Register of Members, shall without payment, be entitled to a share certificate signed by a Director of the Company specifying the share or shares held and the amount paid up thereof, provided that in respect of a share or shares held jointly by several persons, the Company shall not be bound to issue more than one share certificate and delivery of a certificate for a share to one of several joint holders shall be sufficient delivery to all.  

 

3.2 If a share certificate is worn out, lost or defaced, it may be renewed on production of the worn out or defaced certificate, or on satisfactory proof of its loss together with such indemnity as the Directors may reasonably require. Any Member receiving a share certificate shall indemnify and hold the Company and its officers harmless from any loss or liability which it or they may incur by reason of wrongful or fraudulent use or representation made by any person by virtue of the possession of such a share certificate.  

 

 
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4. Issue of Shares  

 

4.1   Subject to the provisions of these Articles and to any resolution of the Members to the contrary, and without prejudice to any special rights previously conferred on the holders of any existing shares or class of shares, the Board of Directors shall have the power to issue any unissued shares on such terms and conditions as it may determine and any shares or class of shares (including the issue or grant of options, warrants and other rights, renounceable or otherwise in respect of shares) may be issued with such preferred, deferred or other special rights or such restrictions, whether in regard to dividend, voting, return of capital, or otherwise, provided that no share shall be issued at a discount except in accordance with the Companies Act.

 

4.2   The Company may in so far as may be permitted by Companies Act, pay a commission to any person in consideration of his subscribing or agreeing to subscribe whether absolutely or conditionally for any shares. Such commissions may be satisfied by the payment of cash or the lodgement of fully or partly paid-up shares or partly in one way and partly in the other. The Company may also on any issue of shares pay such brokerage as may be lawful.

 

4A. Share Rights

 

4A.1 Subject to Article 4.1, the Memorandum of Association and any resolution of the Members to the contrary and without prejudice to any special rights conferred thereby on the holders of any other shares or class of shares, the share capital of the Company shall be divided into shares of two classes, Class A Ordinary Shares and Class B Ordinary Shares, immediately upon the effectiveness of these Articles. Class A Ordinary Shares and Class B Ordinary Shares shall carry equal rights and rank pari passu with one another other than as set out below.

 

4A.2 As regards Voting Rights

 

  Holders of Ordinary Shares have the right to receive notice of, attend, speak and vote at general meetings of the Company. Holders of Class A Ordinary Shares and Class B Ordinary Shares shall, at all times (other than in respect of separate general meetings of the holders of a class or series of shares held in accordance with Article 5.1), vote together as one class on all matters submitted to a vote for Members’ consent. Each fully paid Class A Ordinary Share shall be entitled to ten (10) votes on all matters subject to the vote at general meetings of the Company, and each fully paid Class B Ordinary Share shall be entitled to one (1) vote on all matters subject to the vote at general meetings of the Company. No amount paid up or credited as paid up on a Share in advance of calls or instalments is treated for the foregoing purposes as paid up on the Share.

 

5.Variation of Rights Attaching to Shares

 

5.1 If at any time the share capital of the Company is divided into different classes of shares, the rights attaching to any class (unless otherwise provided by the terms of issue of the shares of that class) may be varied or abrogated with the consent in writing of the holders of two-thirds of the issued shares of that class, or with the sanction of a resolution passed by at least a two-thirds majority of the holders of shares of the class present in person or by proxy at a separate general meeting of the holders of the shares of the class. To every such separate general meeting the provisions of these Articles relating to general meetings of the Company shall mutatis mutandis apply, but so that the necessary quorum shall be at least one person holding or representing by proxy at least one-third of the issued shares of the class and that any holder of shares of the class present in person or by proxy may demand a poll.  

 

 
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5.2 The rights conferred upon the holders of the shares of any class issued with preferred or other rights shall not, unless otherwise expressly provided by the terms of issue of the shares of that class, be deemed to be varied by the creation or issue of further shares ranking pari passu therewith or by the redemption or purchase of shares of any class by the Company.  

 

5.3 The Company shall not issue shares to bearer form.  

 

6. Transfer of Shares  

 

6.1 Subject to such of the restriction of these Articles as may be applicable, any Member may transfer all or any of his shares by an instrument in writing in any usual or common form or any other form which the Directors may approve or on behalf of the transferor and if in respect of a nil or partly paid up share or if so required by the Directors shall also be executed on behalf of the transferee and shall be accompanied by the certificate of the shares to which it relates and such other evidence as the Directors may reasonably require to show the right of the transferor to make the transfer. The transferor shall be deemed to remain a holder of the share until the name of the transferee is entered in the Register of Members in respect thereof.  

 

6.2 The Directors may in their absolute discretion to decline to register any transfer of any share, whether or not it is a fully paid share, without assigning any reason for so doing. If the Directors refuse to register a transfer they shall within 2 months of the date on which the transfer was lodged with the Company send to the transferor and transferee notice of the refusal.  

 

6.3 All instruments of transfer which shall be registered shall be retained by the Company, but any instrument of transfer which the Directors may decline to register shall (except in any case of fraud) be returned to the person depositing the same.  

 

6.4 The registration of transfers may be suspended at such times and for such periods as the Directors may from time to time determine, provided always that such registration shall not be suspended for more than 45 days in any year.  

 

7. Transmission of Shares  

 

7.1 In case of the death of a Member, the survivor or survivors, or the legal personal representatives of the deceased survivor, where the deceased was a joint holder, and the legal personal representatives of the deceased, where he was a sole holder, shall be the only persons recognized by the Company as having any title to the shares.  

 

7.2 Any person becoming entitled to a share in consequence of the death, bankruptcy, liquidation or dissolution of a Member shall, upon such evidence being produced as may from time to time be properly required by the Directors, and subject as hereinafter provided, elect either to be registered himself as holder of the share or to have some person nominated by him registered as the transferee thereof, but the Directors shall, in either case, have the same right to decline or suspend registration as they would have had in the case of a transfer of the share by that Member before his death or bankruptcy, as the case may be.  

 

7.3 A person becoming entitled to a share by reason of the death, bankruptcy, liquidation or dissolution of the holder shall be entitled to the same dividends and other advantages to which he would be entitled if he were the registered holder of the share, except that he shall not, before being registered as a Member in respect of the share, be entitled in respect of it to exercise any right conferred by membership in relation to meetings of the Company.  

 

 
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8. Redemption and Purchase of Own Shares  
   
8.1 Subject to the provisions of the Companies Act, the Company may:    

 

(a)issue shares on terms that they are to be redeemed or are liable to be redeemed at the option of the Company on such terms and in such manner as the Directors may determine before the issue of such shares;

 

(b)purchase its own shares (including any redeemable shares) on such terms and in such manner as the Directors may determine and agree with the Member; and

 

(c)make a payment in respect of the redemption or purchase of its own shares in any manner permitted by the Companies Act, including out of capital.

 

8.2 A share which is liable to be redeemed by the Company shall be redeemed by the Company giving to the Member notice in writing of the intention to redeem such shares (a “Redemption Notice”) and specifying the date of such redemption which must be a day on which banks in the Cayman Islands are open for business.  

 

8.3 Any share in respect of which Redemption Notice has been given shall not be entitled to participate in the profits of the Company in respect of the period after the date specified as the date of redemption in the Redemption Notice.  

 

8.4 The redemption or purchase of any share shall not be deemed to give rise to the redemption or purchase of any other share.  

 

8.5 At the date specified in the Redemption Notice, or the date on which the shares are to be purchased, the holder of the shares being redeemed or purchased shall be bound to deliver up to the Company at its Registered Office the certificate thereof for cancellation and thereupon the Company shall pay to him the redemption or purchase moneys in respect thereof.  

 

8.6 The Directors may when making payments in respect of redemption or purchase of shares, if authorised by the terms of issue of the shares being redeemed or purchased or with the agreement of the holder of such shares, make such payment either in cash or in specie.  

 

9. Fractional Shares  

 

The Directors may issue fractions of a share of any class of shares, and, if so issued, a fraction of a share (calculated to three decimal points) shall be subject to and carry the corresponding fraction of liabilities (whether with respect to any unpaid amount thereon, contribution, calls or otherwise), limitations, preferences, privileges, qualifications, restrictions, rights (including, without limitation, voting and participation rights) and other attributes of a whole share of the same class of shares. If more than one fraction of a share of the same class is issued to or acquired by the same Member such fractions shall be accumulated. For the avoidance of doubt, in these Articles the expression “share” shall include a fraction of a share.  

 

10. Lien  

 

10.1 The Company shall have a first priority lien and charge on every share (not being a fully paid up share) for all moneys (whether presently payable or not) called or payable at a fixed time in respect of that share, and the Company shall also have a first priority lien and charge on all shares (other than fully paid up shares) registered in the name of a member for all moneys presently payable by him or his estate to the Company, but the Directors may at any time declare any share to be wholly or in part exempt from the provisions of this Article. The Company’s lien, if any, on a share shall extend to all dividends and other moneys payable in respect thereon.  

 

 
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10.2 The Company may sell, in such manner as the Directors think fit, any shares on which the Company has a lien, but no sale shall be made unless some sum in respect of which the lien exists is presently payable, nor until the expiration of 14 days after a notice in writing, stating and demanding payment of such part of the amount in respect of which the lien exists as is presently payable, has been given to the registered holder for the time being of the share, or the persons entitled thereto of which the Company has notice, by reason of his death or bankruptcy, winding up or otherwise by operation of Companies Act or court order.  

 

10.3 To give effect to any such sale the Directors may authorise some person to transfer the shares sold to the purchaser thereof. The purchaser shall be registered as the holder of the shares comprised in any such transfer, and he shall not be bound to see to the application of the purchase money, nor shall his title to the shares be affected by any irregularity or invalidity in the proceedings in reference to the sale.  

 

10.4 The proceeds of the sale shall be received by the Company and applied in payment of such part of the amount in respect of which the lien exists as is presently payable, and the residue, if any, shall (subject to a like lien for sums not presently payable as existed upon the shares prior to the sale) be paid to the person entitled to the shares at the date of the sale.  

 

11. Calls on Shares  

 

11.1 The Directors may from time to time make calls upon the Members in respect of any moneys unpaid on their shares (whether on account of the nominal value of the shares or by way of premium or otherwise), and each Member shall (subject to receiving at least 14 days’ notice in writing specifying the time or times and place of payment) pay to the Company at the time or times and place so specified the amount called on his shares. The non-receipt of a notice of any call by, or the accidental omission to give notices of a call to, any Members shall not invalidate the call. A call may be revoked or postponed as the Directors may determine.  

 

11.2The joint holders of a share shall be jointly and severally liable to pay all calls in respect thereof.

 

11.3 If a sum called in respect of a share is remain unpaid before or on the day appointed for payment thereof, the person from whom the sum is due shall pay interest on the sum from the day appointed for the payment thereof to the time of the actual payment at such rate not exceeding 10 percent per annum as the Directors may determine, but the Directors shall be at liberty to waive payment of that interest wholly or in part.  

 

11.4 Any sum which by the terms of issue of a share becomes payable on allotment or at any fixed date, whether on account of the nominal value of the share or by way of premium or otherwise, shall for the purposes of these Articles be deemed to be a call duly made, notified and payable on the date on which by the terms of issue the same becomes payable, and in case of non-payment all the relevant provisions of these Articles as to payment of interest and expenses, forfeiture or otherwise shall apply as if such sum had become payable by virtue of a call duly made and notified.  

 

11.5 The provisions of these Articles as to the liability of joint holders and as to payment of interest shall apply in the case of non-payment of any sum which, by the terms of issue of a share, becomes payable at a fixed time, whether on account of the amount of the share, or by way of premium, as if the same had become payable by virtue of a call duly made and notified.  

 

 
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11.6 The Directors may make arrangements on the issue of shares, differentiate between the Members, as to the amount of calls to be paid and the times of payment.  

 

11.7 The Directors may, if they think fit, receive from any Member willing to advance the same, all or any part of the moneys uncalled and unpaid upon any shares held by him, and upon all or any of the moneys so advanced may (until the same would, but for such advance, become presently payable) pay interest at such rate not exceeding 10 percent per annum (unless the Company in general meeting shall otherwise direct), as may be agreed between the Directors and the Member paying the sum in advance.  

 

12. Forfeiture of Shares  

 

12.1 If a Member fails to pay any call or instalment of a call with any interest on the day appointed for payment thereof, the Directors may, at any time thereafter during such time as any part of such call or instalment remains unpaid, serve a notice in writing on him requiring payment of so much of the call or instalment as is unpaid, together with any interest accrued and expenses incurred by the reason of such non-payment.  

 

12.2 The notice shall name a further day (not earlier than the expiration of 14 days from the date of the service of the notice) on or before which the payment required by the notice is to be made, and shall state that in the event of non-payment at or before the time appointed the shares in respect of which the call was made will be liable to be forfeited.  

 

12.3 If the requirements of any such notice as aforesaid are not complied with, any share in respect of which the notice has been given may at any time thereafter, before the payment required by notice has been made, be forfeited by a resolution of the Directors to that effect and such forfeiture shall extend to all dividends declared in respect of the share so forfeited but not actually paid before such forfeiture.  

 

12.4 A forfeited share may be sold, cancelled or otherwise disposed of on such terms and in such manner as the Directors in their absolute discretion think fit, and at any time before a sale, cancellation or disposition the forfeiture may be cancelled on such terms as the Directors in their absolute discretion think fit.    

 


12.5
A person whose shares have been forfeited shall cease to be a Member in respect of the forfeited shares, but shall, notwithstanding, remain liable to pay to the Company all moneys which, at the date of forfeiture, were payable by him to the Company in respect of the shares, but his liability shall cease if and when the Company receives payment in full of the fully paid up amount of the shares.  

 

12.6 A statutory declaration in writing that the declarant is a Director of the Company, and that a share in the Company has been duly forfeited or surrendered or sold to satisfy a lien of the Company on a date stated in the declaration, shall be conclusive evidence of the facts therein stated as against all persons claiming to be entitled to the share. The Company may receive the consideration, if any, given for the share on any sale or disposition thereof and may execute a transfer of the share in favour of the person to whom the share is sold or disposed of and he shall thereupon be registered as the holder of the share, and shall not be bound to see to the application of the purchase money, if any, nor shall his title to the share be affected by any irregularity or invalidity in the proceedings in reference to the forfeiture, sale or disposal of the share.  

 

12.7 When any shares have been forfeited, an entry shall be made in the Register of Members recording the forfeiture and the date thereof, and so soon as the shares so forfeited have been sold or otherwise disposed of, an entry shall be made of the manner and date of the sale or disposal thereof.  

 

 
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12.8 The provisions of these Articles as to forfeiture shall apply in the case of non-payment of any sum, which by the terms of issue of a share, becomes due and payable at any time, whether on account of the amount of the share, or by way of premium, as if the same had been payable by virtue of a call duly made and notified.  

 

13. Alteration of Share Capital  

 

13.1     The Company may from time to time by Ordinary Resolution increase the share capital by such sum, to be divided into shares of such classes and amount, as the resolution shall prescribe.  
   
13.2     The Company may by Ordinary Resolution:    

 

(a)consolidate and divide all or any of its share capital into shares of larger amount than its existing shares;

 

(b)subdivide its existing shares, or any of them, into shares of a smaller amount provided that in the subdivision the proportion between the amount paid and the amount, if any, unpaid on each reduced share shall be the same as it was in case of the share from which the reduced share is derived;

 

(c)cancel any shares which, at the date of the passing of the resolution, have not been taken or agreed to be taken by any person and diminish the amount of its share capital by the amount of the shares so cancelled; and

 

(d)convert all or any of its paid up shares into stock and reconvert that stock into paid up shares of any denomination.

 

13.2A No alteration may be made of the kind contemplated by Articles 13.1 and 13.2, or otherwise, to the par value of the Class A Ordinary Shares or the Class B Ordinary Shares unless an identical alteration is made to the par value of the Class B Ordinary Shares or the Class A Ordinary Shares, as the case may be.

 

13.3     The Company may by Special Resolution reduce its share capital and any capital redemption reserve in any manner, authorised and consent required by Companies Act.  

 

14. Closing Register of Members or Fixing Record Date  

 

14.1 For the purpose of determining those Members that are entitled to receive notice of, attend or vote at any meeting of Members or any adjournment thereof, or those Members that are entitled to receive payment of any dividend, or in order to make a determination as to who is a Member for any other purpose, the Directors may provide that the Register of Members shall be closed for transfers for a stated period but not to exceed in any case 40 days. If the Register of Members shall be so closed for the purpose of determining those Members that are entitled to receive notice of, attend or vote at a meeting of Members such register shall be so closed for at least 10 days immediately preceding such meeting and the record date for such determination shall be the first day of the closure of the Register of Members.  

 

14.2 In lieu of or apart from closing the Register of Members, the Directors may fix in advance a date as the record date for any such determination of those Members that are entitled to receive notice of, attend or vote at a meeting of the Members and for the purpose of determining those Members that are entitled to receive payment of any dividend the Directors may, at or within 90 days prior to the date of declaration of such dividend fix a subsequent date as the record date for such determination.  

 

 
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14.3 If the Register of Members is not so closed and no record date is fixed for the determination of those Members that are entitled to receive notice of, attend or vote at a meeting of Members or those Members that are entitled to receive payment of a dividend, the date on which notice of the meeting is posted or the date on which the resolution of the Directors declaring such dividend is adopted, as the case may be, shall be the record date for such determination of Members. When a determination of those Members that are entitled to receive notice of, attend or vote at a meeting of Members has been made as provided in this section, such determination shall apply to any adjournment thereof.  

 

15. General Meeting of Members  

 

15.1 The Directors, whenever they consider necessary or desirable, may convene meetings of the Members of the Company. The Directors shall convene a meeting of Members upon the written requisition of any Members or Members entitled to attend and vote at general meeting of the Company who hold not less than 10 percent of the paid up voting share capital of the Company in respect to the matter for which the meeting is requested, deposited at the registered office of the Company specifying the objects of the meeting for a date no later than 21 days from the date of deposit of the requisition signed by the requisitionists. If the Directors do not convene such meeting for a date not later than 30 days after the date of such deposit, the requisitionists themselves may convene the general meeting in the same manner, as nearly as possible, as that in which meetings may be convened by the Directors, and all reasonable expenses incurred by the requisitionists as a result of the failure of the Directors shall be reimbursed to them by the Company.  

 

15.2 If at any time there are no Directors of the Company, any two Members (or if there is only one Member then that Member) entitled to vote at general meetings of the Company may convene a general meeting in the same manner as nearly as possible as that in which meetings may be convened by the Directors.  

 

16. Notice of General Meetings  

 

16.1 At least seven days’ notice counting from the date service is deemed to take place as provided in these Articles specifying the place, the day and the hour of the meeting and, in case of special business, the general nature of that business, shall be given in manner hereinafter provided or in such other manner (if any) as may be prescribed by the Company by Ordinary Resolution to such persons as are, under these Articles, entitled to receive such notices from the Company.  

 


16.2
Notwithstanding the aforesaid Article, a meeting of Members is held in contravention of the requirement to give notice shall be deemed to have been validly held if the consent of all Members entitled to receive notice of some particular meeting and attend and vote thereat, that meeting may be convened by such shorter notice or without notice and in such manner as those Members may think fit.  

 

16.3 The accidental omission to give notice of a meeting to, or the non-receipt of a notice of a meeting by any Member shall not invalidate the proceedings at any meeting.  

 

17. Proceedings at General Meetings  

 

17.1 No business shall be transacted at any general meeting unless a quorum of Members is present at the time when the meeting proceeds to business. Save as otherwise provided by these Articles, a quorum shall consist of one or more Members present in person or by proxy holding at least a majority of the paid up voting share capital of the Company. If the Company has only one Member, that only Member present in person or by proxy shall be a quorum for all purposes.  

 

 
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17.2 If within half an hour from the time appointed for the meeting a quorum is not present, the meeting, if convened upon the requisition of Members, shall be dissolved. In any other case it shall stand adjourned to the same day in the next week, at the same time and place or to such other day and at such other time and place as the Directors may decide, and if at the adjourned meeting a quorum is not present within half an hour from the time appointed for the meeting the Member or Members present and entitled to vote shall be a quorum.  

 

17.3 At every meeting the Members present shall choose someone of their number to be the chairman (the “Chairman”). If the Members are unable to choose a Chairman for any reason, then the person representing the greatest number of voting shares present at the meeting shall preside as Chairman, failing which the oldest individual Member present at the meeting or failing any Member personally attending the meeting, the proxy present at the meeting representing the oldest Member of the Company, shall take the chair.  

 

17.4 The Chairman may, with the consent of any meeting, at which a quorum is present (and shall if so directed by the meeting) adjourn any meeting from time to time and from place to place, but no business shall be transacted at any adjourned meeting other than the business left unfinished at the meeting from which the adjournment took place. When a meeting is adjourned for 10 days or more, notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given as in the case of an original meeting. Save as aforesaid, it shall not be necessary to give any notice of an adjournment or of the business to be transacted at an adjourned meeting.  

 

17.5 All business carried out at a general meeting shall be deemed special with the exception of declaring a dividend, the consideration of the accounts, balance sheets, and reports of the Directors and the Company’s auditors, the appointment and removal of Directors, and the appointment and the fixing of the remuneration of the Company’s auditors. No special business shall be transacted at any general meeting without the consent of all Members entitled to receive notice of that meeting unless notice of such special business has been given in the notice convening that meeting.  

 

17.6 Any one or more Members may participate in a general meeting by means of a conference telephone or similar communications equipment allowing all persons participating in the meeting to hear each other at the same time. Participating by such means shall constitute presence in person at a meeting. A resolution in writing signed by all the Members for the time being entitled to receive notice of and to attend and vote at general meetings (or being corporations by their duly authorized representatives) shall be as valid and effective as if the same had been passed at a general meeting of the Company duly convened and held.

 

18. Votes of Members  

 

18.1 Except as required by applicable law and subject to these Articles (including without limitation Article 5.1), holders of Class A Ordinary Shares and Class B Ordinary Shares shall at all times vote together as one class on all matters submitted to a vote of the Members.  

 

18.2A Subject to any rights and restrictions for the time being attached to any class or classes of shares, at a general meeting of the Company:-

 

(a)on a show of hands every Member holding Class A Ordinary Shares present in person (or being a corporation, is present by a duly authorised representative) or by proxy shall have ten (10) votes for every fully paid Class A Ordinary Share of which he is the holder, and on a poll every Member present in person or by proxy or, in the case of a Member being a corporation, by its duly authorised representative shall have ten (10) votes for every fully paid Class A Ordinary Share of which he is the holder; and

 

 
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(b)on a show of hands every Member holding Class B Ordinary Shares present in person (or being a corporation, is present by a duly authorised representative), or by proxy shall have one (1) vote for every fully paid Class B Ordinary Share of which he is the holder, and on a poll every Member present in person or by proxy or, in the case of a Member being a corporation, by its duly authorised representative shall have one (1) vote for every fully paid Class B Ordinary Share of which he is the holder.

 

18.2B No amount paid up or credited as paid up on a Share in advance of calls or instalments is treated for the foregoing purposes as paid up on the Share.

 

18.3 At any general meeting a resolution put to the vote of the meeting shall be decided on a show of hands by a simple majority, unless a poll is (before or on the declaration of the result of the show of hands) demanded by the Chairman; or one or more Members present in person or by proxy entitled to vote and who together hold not less than 10 percent of the paid up voting share capital of the Company. Unless a poll is so demanded, a declaration by the Chairman that a resolution has, on a show of hands, been carried, or carried unanimously, or by a particular majority, or lost, and an entry to that effect in the book of the proceedings of the Company, shall be conclusive evidence of the fact, without proof of the number or proportion of the votes recorded in favour of or against such resolution.  

 

18.4 If a poll is duly demanded it shall be taken in such manner as the Chairman directs, and the result of the poll shall be deemed to be the resolution of the meeting at which the poll was demanded. The demand for a poll may be withdrawn.  

 

18.5 In the case of an equality of votes, whether on a show of hands, or on a poll, the Chairman of the meeting at which the show of hands takes place, or at which the poll is demanded, shall be entitled to a second or casting vote.  

 

18.6 A poll demanded on the election of a Chairman of a meeting or on a question of adjournment shall be taken forthwith. A poll demanded on any other question shall be taken at such time as the Chairman of the meeting directs, and any business other than that upon which a poll has been demanded may be proceeded with pending the taking of the poll.  

 

18.7 In the case of joint holders the vote of the senior who tenders a vote whether in person or by proxy shall be accepted to the exclusion of the votes of the joint holders and for this purpose seniority shall be determined by the order in which the names stand in the Register of Members.  

 

18.8 A Member of unsound mind, or in respect of whom an order has been made by any court having jurisdiction in lunacy, may vote, whether on a show of hands or on a poll, by his committee, or other person in the nature of a committee appointed by that court, and any such committee or other person, may on a poll, vote by proxy.  

 

18.9 No Member shall be entitled to vote at any general meeting unless all calls or other sums presently payable by him in respect of shares in the Company held by him and carrying the right to vote have been paid.  

 

19. Members’ Proxies  

 

19.1 The instrument appointing a proxy shall be in writing under the hand of the appointor or of his attorney duly authorised in writing or, if the appointor is a corporation, either under seal or under the hand of an officer or attorney duly authorised. A proxy need not be a Member of the Company. An instrument appointing a proxy may be in any usual or common form or such other form as the Directors may approve. The instrument appointing a proxy shall be deemed to confer authority to demand or join in demanding a poll.  

 

 
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19.2 On a poll votes may be given either personally or by proxy. The instrument appointing a proxy shall be deposited at the Registered Office or at such other place appointed for the meeting before the time for holding the meeting at which the person named in such instrument proposes to vote.  

 

20. Corporations Acting by Representatives at Meetings  

 

  Any corporation or other form of corporate legal entity which is a Member or a Director of the Company may, by resolution of its directors or other governing body, authorise such person as it thinks fit to act as its representative at any meeting of the Members or any class of Members of the Company or of the Board of Directors or of a Committee of Directors, and the person so authorised shall be entitled to exercise the same powers on behalf of such corporation which he represents as that corporation could exercise if it were an individual Member or Director of the Company.  

 

21. Directors  

 

21.1 The name of the first Director(s) shall either be determined in writing by a majority (or in the case of a sole subscriber that subscriber) of, or elected at a meeting of, the subscribers of the Memorandum of Association. The Company may by Ordinary Resolution appoint any person to be a Director.  

 

21.2 Subject to the provisions of these Articles, a Director shall hold office until such time as he is removed from office by the Company by Ordinary Resolution.  

 

21.3 Unless and until otherwise determined by an Ordinary Resolution of the Company, the Directors shall not be less than one in number, and there shall be no maximum number of Directors.  

 

21.4 The remuneration of the Directors shall from time to time be determined by the Company by Ordinary Resolution.  

 

21.5 The shareholding qualification for Directors may be fixed by the Company by Ordinary Resolution and unless and until so fixed no share qualification shall be required.  

 

21.6 The Directors shall have power at any time and from time to time to appoint any other person as a Director, either to fill a casual vacancy or as an additional Director, subject to the maximum number (if any) imposed by the Company by Ordinary Resolution.  

 

22. Alternate Director  

 

22.1 Any Director may in writing appoint another Director or another person to be his alternate to act in his place at any meeting of the Directors at which he is unable to be present and may at any time in writing to revoke the appointment of an alternate appointed by him. Every such alternate shall be entitled to be given notice of meetings of the Directors and to attend and vote thereat as a Director at any such meeting at which the person appointing him is not personally present and generally at such meeting to have and exercise all the powers, right, duties and authorises of the Director appointing him.  

 

22.2 An alternate shall not be an officer of the Company and shall be deemed to be the agent of the Director appointing him. A Director may at any time in writing revoke the appointment of an alternate appointed by him. The remuneration of such alternate shall be payable out of the remuneration of the Director appointing him and the proportion thereof shall be agreed between them. If a Director shall die or cease to hold the office of Director, the appointment of his alternate shall thereupon cease and terminate.  

 

 
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22.3 Any Director may appoint any person, whether or not a Director, to be the proxy of that Director to attend and vote on his behalf, in accordance with instructions given by that Director, or in the absence of such instructions at the discretion of the proxy, at a meeting or meetings of the Directors which that Director is unable to attend personally. The instrument appointing the proxy shall be in writing under the hand of the appointing Director and shall be in any usual or common form or such other form as the Directors may approve, and must be lodged with the chairman of the meeting of the Directors at which such proxy is to be used, or first used, prior to the commencement of the meeting.  

 

23. Officers

 

23.1 The Directors of the Company may, by resolution of Directors, appoint officers of the Company at such times as shall be considered necessary or expedient, and such officers may consist of a president, one or more vice presidents, a secretary, and a treasurer and/or such other officers as may from time to time be deemed desirable. The officers shall perform such duties as shall be prescribed at the time of their appointment subject to any modifications in such duties as may be prescribed by the Directors thereafter, but in the absence of any specific allocation of duties it shall be the responsibility of the president to manage the day to day affairs of the Company, the vice presidents to act in order of seniority in the absence of the president, but otherwise to perform such duties as may be delegated to them by the president, the secretary to maintain the registers, minute books and records (other than financial records) of the Company and to ensure compliance with all procedural requirements imposed on the Company by applicable law, and the treasurer to be responsible for the financial affairs of the Company.  

 

23.2 Any person may hold more than one office and no officer need be a Director or Member of the Company. The officers shall remain in relevant office until removed from the said office by the Directors, whether or not a successor is appointed.  

 

23.3 Any officer who is a body corporate may appoint any person its duly authorised representative for the purpose of representing it and of transacting any of the business of the officers.  

 

24. Powers and Duties of Directors  

 

24.1 The business of the Company shall be managed by the Directors who may pay all expenses incurred preliminary to and in connection with the setup and registration of the Company, and may exercise all such powers of the Company necessary for managing and for directing and supervising, the business affairs of the Company as are not required by the Companies Act or by these Articles required to be exercised by the Members subject to any delegation of such powers as may be authorised by these Articles and permitted by the Companies Act and to such requirements as may be prescribed by resolution of the Members, but no requirement made by resolution of the Members shall prevail if it was inconsistent with these Articles nor shall such resolution invalidate any prior act of the Directors which would have been valid if such resolution had not been made.  

 

24.2 The Directors may from time to time and at any time by power of attorney or otherwise appoint any company, firm or person or body of persons, whether nominated directly or indirectly by the Directors, to be the attorney or attorneys of the Company for such purposes and with such powers, authorities and discretion (not exceeding those vested in or exercisable by the Directors under these Articles) and for such period and subject to such conditions as they may think fit, and any such powers of attorney may contain such provisions for the protection and convenience of persons dealing with any such attorney as the Directors may think fit and may also authorise any such attorney to delegate all or any of the powers, authorities and discretions vested in him.  

 

 
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24.3 The Directors may exercise all the powers of the Company to borrow money and to mortgage or charge its undertaking, property, assets (present and future) and uncalled capital or any part thereof, to issue debentures, debenture stock and other securities whenever money is borrowed or as security for any debt, liability or obligation of the Company or of any third party.  

 

25. Committees of Directors  

 

25.1 The Directors may delegate any of their powers to committees consisting of such member or members of their body as they think fit; any committee so formed shall in the exercise of the powers so delegated conform to any regulations that may be imposed on it by the Directors.  

 

25.2 The Directors may establish any committees, local boards or agencies for managing any of the businesses and affairs of the Company, and may appoint any persons to be members of such committees, local boards, managers or agents for the Company and may fix their remuneration and may delegate to any committees, local board, manager or agent any of the powers, authorities and discretions vested in the Directors, with the power to sub-delegate, and may authorise the members of any committees, local boards or agencies, or any of them, to fill any vacancies therein and to act notwithstanding vacancies, and any such appointment and delegation may be made upon such terms and subject to such conditions as the Directors may think fit, and the Directors may remove any person so appointed and may annul or vary any such delegation, but no person dealing in good faith and without notice of any such annulment or variation shall be affected thereby.  

 

26. Disqualification of Directors  

 

  The office of Director shall be automatically vacated, if the Director:

 

(a)becomes bankrupt or makes any arrangement or composition with his creditors;

 

(b)is found to be or becomes of unsound mind;

 

(c)resigns his office by notice in writing to the Company;

 

(d)is removed from office by Ordinary Resolution;

 

(e)is convicted of an arrestable offence; or

 

(f)dies.

 

27. Proceedings of Directors  

 

27.1 The meetings of the Board of Directors and any committee thereof shall be held at such place or places as the Directors shall decide.  

 

27.2 The Directors may elect a chairman of their meetings and determine the period for which he is to hold office. If no such chairman is elected, or if at any meeting the chairman is not present within fifteen minutes after the time appointed for holding the meeting, the Directors present may choose one of their number to be chairman for the meeting. If the Directors are unable to choose a chairman, for any reason, then the seniority Director present at the meeting shall preside as the chairman of the meeting.  

 

 
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27.3 The Directors may meet together (either within or without the Cayman Islands) for the dispatch of business, adjourn and otherwise regulate their meetings and proceedings as they think fit. Questions arising at any meeting shall be decided by a majority of votes. In case of an equality in votes the chairman shall have a second or casting vote. A Director may at any time summon a meeting of the Directors. If the Company shall have only one Director, the provisions hereinafter contained for meetings of the Directors shall not apply but such sole Director shall have full power to represent and act for the Company in all matters and in lieu of minutes of a meeting shall record written resolutions and sign as a resolution of the Directors. Such note or memorandum shall constitute sufficient evidence of such resolution for all purposes.  

 

27.4 Any one or more members of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof may participate in a meeting of such Board of Directors or committee by means of a conference telephone or similar communications equipment allowing all persons participating in the meeting to hear each other at the same time. Participating by such means shall constitute presence in person at a meeting.  

 

27.5 The quorum necessary for the transaction of the business of the Directors may be fixed by the Directors, and unless so fixed, if there be more than two Directors shall be two, and if there be two or less Directors shall be one. A Director represented by proxy or by an alternate Director at any meeting shall be deemed to be present for the purposes of determining whether or not a quorum is present.  

 

27.6 A Director who is in any way, whether directly or indirectly, interested in a contract or proposed contract with the Company shall declare the nature of his interest at a meeting of the Directors. A general notice given to the Directors by any Director to the effect that he is a member of any specified company or firm and is to be regarded as interested in any contract which may thereafter be made with that company or firm shall be deemed a sufficient declaration of interest in regard to any contract so made. A Director may vote in respect of any contract or proposed contract or arrangement notwithstanding that he may be interested therein and if he does so his vote shall be counted and he may be counted in the quorum at any meeting of the Directors at which any such contract or proposed contract or arrangement shall come before the meeting for consideration.  

 

27.7 A Director may hold any other office or place of profit under the Company (other than the office of auditor) in conjunction with his office of Director for such period and on such terms (as to remuneration and otherwise) as the Directors may determine and no Director or intending Director shall be disqualified by his office from contracting with the Company either with regard to his tenure of any such other office or place of profit or as vendor, purchaser or otherwise, nor shall any such contract or arrangement entered into by or on behalf of the Company in which any Director is in any way interested, be liable to be avoided, nor shall any Director so contracting or being so interested be liable to account to the Company for any profit realised by any such contract or arrangement by reason of such Director holding that office or of the fiduciary relation thereby established. A Director, notwithstanding his interest, may be counted in the quorum present at any meeting whereat he or any other Director is appointed to hold any such office or place of profit under the Company or whereat the terms of any such appointment are arranged and he may vote on any such appointment or arrangement.  

 

27.8 The Directors shall cause to be entered and kept in books or files provided for the purpose minutes or memoranda of the following (where applicable): -  

 

(a)all appointments of officers made by the Directors;

 

(b)the names of the Directors, and any alternate Director who is not also a Director, present at each meeting of the Directors and of any committee of the Directors; and

 

(c)all resolutions and proceedings of all meetings of the Members, all meetings of the Directors and all meetings of committees and, where the Company has only one Member and/or one Director, all written resolutions of the decisions of the sole Member and/or the sole Director; and any such minutes or memoranda of any meeting or decisions of the Directors, or any committee, or of the Company, if purporting to be signed by the chairman of such meeting, or by the chairman of the next succeeding meeting, shall be receivable as prima facie evidence of the matters stated therein.

 

 
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27.9 When the Chairman of a meeting of the Directors signs the minutes of such meeting the same shall be deemed to have been duly held notwithstanding that all the Directors have not actually come together or that there may have been a technical defect in the proceedings.  

 

27.10 A resolution in writing signed by a majority of the Directors for the time being shall be as valid and effectual for all purposes as a resolution of the Directors passed at a meeting of the Directors duly called and constituted. Such resolution in writing may consist of several documents each signed by one or more of the Directors.  

 

27.11 The continuing Directors may act notwithstanding any vacancy in their body but if and so long as their number is reduced below the number fixed by or pursuant to the Articles of the Company as the necessary quorum of Directors, the continuing Directors may act for the purpose of increasing the number, or of summoning a general meeting of the Company, but for no other purpose.  

 

27.12 A committee appointed by the Directors may elect a chairman of its meetings. If no such chairman is elected, or if at any meeting the chairman is not present within 15 minutes after the time appointed for holding the same, the members present may choose one of their number to be chairman of their meetings.  

 

27.13 A committee appointed by the Directors may meet and adjourn as it thinks fit. Questions arising at any meeting shall be determined by a majority of votes of the committee members present and in case of an equality of votes the chairman shall have a second or casting vote.  

 

27.14 All acts done bona fide by any meeting of the Directors or of a committee of Directors, or by any person acting as a Director, shall notwithstanding that it was afterwards discovered that there was some defect in the appointment of any such Director or person acting as aforesaid, or that they or any of them were disqualified, be as valid as if every such person had been duly appointed and was qualified to be a Director.  

 

28. Dividends  

 

28.1 Subject to any rights and restrictions for the time being attached to any class or classes of shares, the Directors may from time to time declare dividends (including interim dividends) and other distributions on shares of the Company in issue and authorise payment of the same out of the funds of the Company lawfully available therefor.  

 

28.2 Subject to any rights and restrictions for the time being attached to any class or classes of shares, the Company may by Ordinary Resolution declare final dividends, but no dividend shall exceed the amount recommended by the Directors.  

 

28.3 The Directors may, before recommending or declaring any dividend, set aside out of the funds legally available for distribution of the Company such sums as they think proper as a reserve or reserves which shall, at the absolute discretion of the Directors be applicable for meeting contingencies, or for equalising dividends or for any other purpose to which those funds may be properly applied and may pending such application, in the Directors’ absolute discretion, either be employed in the business of the Company or be invested in such investments (other than shares of the Company) as the Directors may from time to time think fit.  

 

 
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28.4 No dividend shall be paid otherwise than out of profits or, subject to the restrictions of the Companies Act, the share premium account.  

 

28.5 Any dividend may be paid by cheque or warrant sent through the post directed to the registered address of the Member or person entitled thereto (or in case of joint holders, to the registered address of any one of such joint holders whose name stands first on the Register of Members of the Company in respect of the joint holding) or addressed to such person at such address as the holder or joint holders may in writing direct. Every such cheque or warrant shall be made payable to the order of the person to whom it is sent, but in any event the Company shall not be liable or responsible for any cheque or warrant lost in transmission nor for any dividend, bonus, interest or other monies lost to the Member or person entitled thereto by the forged endorsement of any cheque or warrant. Any payment of the cheque or warrant by the Company’s banker on whom it is drawn shall be a good discharge to the Company.  

 

28.6 The Directors when paying dividends to the Members in accordance with the foregoing provisions may make such payment either in cash or in specie.  

 

28.7 Subject to the rights of persons, if any, entitled to shares with special rights as to dividend, all dividends shall be declared and paid according to the amounts paid or credited as paid on the shares in respect whereof the dividend is paid, but no amount paid or credited as paid on a share in advance of calls shall be treated for the purposes of this article as paid on the share. All dividends shall be apportioned and paid proportionately to the amounts paid or credited as paid on the shares during any portion or portions of the period in respect of which the dividend is paid but if any share is issued on terms providing that it shall rank for dividend as from a particular date that share shall rank for dividend accordingly.  

 

28.8 If several persons are registered as joint holders of any share, any of them may give effectual receipts for any dividend or other moneys payable on or in respect of the share.  

 

28.9 No dividend shall bear interest against the Company.  

 

29. Accounts and Audit  

 

29.1 The Directors shall cause books of account relating to the Company’s affairs to be kept in such manner as may be determined from time to time by the Directors.  

 

29.2 The books of account shall be kept at the registered office of the Company, or at such other place or places as the Directors think fit, and shall always be open to the inspection of the Directors.  

 

29.3 The Directors shall from time to time determine whether and to what extent and at what times and places and under what conditions or regulations the accounts and books of the Company or any of them shall be open to the inspection of Members not being Directors, and no Member (not being a Director) shall have any right of inspecting any account or book or document of the Company except as conferred by the Companies Act or authorised by the Directors or by the Company by ordinary resolution.  

 

29.4 The Directors shall from time to time determine whether and to what extent and at what times and places and under what conditions the records, documents and registers of the Company or any of them shall be open to the inspection of Members not being Directors, and no Member (not being a Director) shall have any right of inspecting any records, documents or registers of the Company except as conferred by the Companies Act or authorised by resolution of the Directors.  

 

 
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30. Capitalisation of Profits  

 

30.1 Subject to the Companies Act, the Directors may, with the authority of an Ordinary Resolution, resolve that it is desirable to capitalise any part of the amount for the time being standing to the credit of any of the Company’s reserve accounts (including a share premium account and capital redemption reserve), or to the credit of the profit and loss account or otherwise available for distribution, and accordingly that such sum be set free for distribution, amongst the Members who would have been entitled thereto if distributed by way of dividend and in the same proportion, on condition that the same be not paid in cash but be applied either in or towards paying up any amounts (if any) for the time being unpaid on any shares held by such Members respectively, or paying up in full unissued shares or debentures of the Company to be allotted and distributed credited as fully paid up to and amongst such Members in the proportion aforesaid or partly in the one way and partly in the other. Provided that a share premium account and a capital redemption reserve fund may, for the purposes of this Article, only be applied in the paying up of unissued shares to be allotted to Members of the Company as fully paid bonus shares.  

 

30.2 Whenever such a resolution as aforesaid shall have been passed the Directors shall make all appropriations and applications of the undivided profits resolved to be capitalised thereby, and all allotments and issues of fully paid shares or debentures, if any and generally shall do all acts and things required to give effect thereto, with full power to the Directors to make such provision by the issue of fractional certificates by payment in cash or otherwise as they think fit for the case of shares or debentures becoming distributable in fractions, and also to authorise any person to enter on behalf of all the Members entitled thereto into an agreement with the Company providing for the allotment to them respectively, credited as fully paid up, of any further shares or debentures to which they may be entitled upon such capitalisation, or as the case may require, for the payment up by the Company on their behalf, by the application thereto of their respective proportions of the profits resolved to be capitalised, of the amounts or any part of the amounts remaining unpaid on their existing shares, and any agreement made under such authority shall be effective and binding on all such Members.  

 

31. Share Premium Account  

 

31.1 The Board of Directors shall in accordance with the Companies Act establish a share premium account and shall carry to the credit of such account from time to time a sum equal to the amount or value of the premium paid on the issue of any share.  

 

31.2 There shall be debited to any share premium account on the redemption or purchase of a share the difference between the nominal value of such share and the redemption or purchase price provided always that at the discretion of the Board of Directors such sum may be paid out of the profits of the Company or, if permitted by the Companies Act, out of capital.  

 

32. Indemnity  

 

  Subject to the provisions of the Companies Act and in the absence of fraud or wilful default, the Company may indemnify against all expenses, including legal fees, and against all judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement and reasonably incurred in connection with legal, administrative or investigative proceedings any person who:  

 

(a)is or was a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that the person is or was a Director, managing director, agent, auditor, secretary and other officer for the time being of the Company; or

 

(b)is or was, at the request of the Company, serving as a Director, managing director, agent, auditor, secretary and other officer for the time being of, or in any other capacity is or was acting for, another company or a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise.

 

 
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33. Notices  

 

33.1 Notice shall be in writing and may be given by the Company or by the person entitled to give notice to any Member either personally by electronic mail, by facsimile or by sending it through the post in a prepaid letter or via a recognised courier service, fees prepaid, addressed to the Member at his address as appearing in the Register of Members. Notices posted to addresses outside the Cayman Islands shall be forwarded by prepaid airmail. A notice may be given by the Company to the joint holders of a share by giving the notice to the joint holder first named in the Register of Members in respect of the share.  

 

33.2 Any Member present, either personally or by proxy, at any meeting of the Company shall for all purposes be deemed to have received due notice of such meeting and, where requisite, of the purposes for which such meeting was convened.  

 

33.3 Any notice, if served by (a) post, shall be deemed to have been served 5 days after the time when the letter containing the same is posted and if served by courier, shall be deemed to have been served 5 days after the time when the letter containing the same is delivered to the courier or, (b) facsimile, shall be deemed to have been served upon confirmation of receipt or (c) electronic mail, shall be deemed to have been served upon confirmation of receipt, or (d) recognised delivery service, shall be deemed to have been served 48 hours after the time when the letter containing the same is delivered to the courier service provider.  

 

33.4 A notice may be given by the Company to the persons entitled to a share in consequence of the death, bankruptcy or insolvency of a Member by sending it through the post in a prepaid letter, by airmail if appropriate addressed to them by name or by the title of representatives of the deceased or assignee or trustee of the bankrupt or insolvent or by a like description at the address, if any, supplied for the purpose by the persons claiming to be so entitled, or, until such an address has been so supplied, by giving the notice in any manner in which the same might have been given if the death, bankruptcy or insolvency had not occurred.  

 

33.5 Notice of every general meeting shall be given in the manner hereinbefore authorised to:  

 

(a)all Members who have a right to receive notice and who have supplied the Company with an address for the giving of notices to them and in case of joint holder, the notice shall be sufficient if given to the first named joint holder in the Register of Members; and

 

(b)every person entitled to a share in consequence of the death or bankruptcy of a Member, who but for his death or bankruptcy would be entitled to receive notice of the meeting.

 

  No other person shall be entitled to receive notice of general meetings.  

 

 
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34. Seal

 

34.1 The Directors shall provide for the safe custody of the Seal of the Company. The Seal when affixed to any instrument shall be witnessed by a Director or the secretary or officer of the Company or any other person so authorised from time to time by the Directors or of a committee of the Directors authorised by the Directors on that behalf. The Directors may provide for a facsimile of the Seal and approve the signature of any Director or authorised person which may be reproduced by printing or other means on any instrument and it shall have the same force and validity as if the Seal has been affixed to such instrument and the same had been signed as hereinbefore described.

 

34.2 Notwithstanding the foregoing, a director or officer, representative or attorney of the Company shall have the authority to affix the Seal, or a duplicate of the Seal, over his signature alone on any instrument or document required to be authenticated by him under Seal or to be filed with the Registrar of Companies in the Cayman Islands or elsewhere wheresoever.  

 

35. Winding Up  

 

35.1 If the Company shall be wound up the liquidator may, with the sanction of an Ordinary Resolution of the Company and any other sanction required by the Companies Act, divide amongst the Members in specie or cash the whole or any part of the assets of the Company whether they shall consist of property of the same kind or not and may, for such purpose set such value as he deems fair upon any property to be divided as aforesaid and may determine how such division shall be carried out as between the Members or different classes of Members. The liquidator may, with the like sanction, vest the whole or any part of such assets in trustees upon such trusts for the benefit of the contributors as the liquidator shall think fit, but so that no Member shall be compelled to accept any shares or other securities whereon there is any liability.  

 

 

35.2 Without prejudice to the rights of holders of shares issued upon special terms and conditions, if the Company shall be wound up, and the assets available for distribution among the Members as such shall be insufficient to repay the whole of the paid-up capital, such assets shall be distributed so that, as nearly as may be, the losses shall be borne by the Members in proportion to the capital paid-up, or which ought to have been paid-up, at the commencement of the winding up on the shares held by them respectively. If on a winding up the assets available for distribution among the Members shall be more than sufficient to repay the whole of the capital paid-up at the commencement of the winding up, the excess shall be distributed among the Members in proportion to the capital paid up at the commencement of the winding up on the shares held by them respectively.  

 

36. Amendment of Memorandum and Articles of Association  

 

  The Company may alter or modify the provisions contained in these Memorandum and Articles of Association as originally drafted or as amended from time to time by a Special Resolution and subject to the Companies Act and the rights attaching to the various classes of shares.  

 

37. Registration By Way of Continuation  

 

  The Company may by Special Resolution resolve to be registered by way of continuation in a jurisdiction outside the Cayman Islands or such other jurisdiction in which it is for the time being incorporated, registered or existing. In furtherance of a resolution adopted pursuant to this Article. The Directors may cause an application to be made to the Registrar of Companies to deregister the Company in the Cayman Islands or such other jurisdiction in which it is for the time being incorporated, registered or existing and may cause all such further steps as they consider appropriate to be taken in accordance to the Companies Act to effect the transfer by way of continuation of the Company.  

  

38. Financial Year  
   
  Unless the Directors otherwise specify, the financial year of the Company:  

 

(a)shall end on 31st December in the year of its incorporation and each following year; and

 

(b)shall begin when it was incorporated and on 1st January in each following year.

 

 

 
- 20 -
CAY-E1-21© Sertus Incorporations Limited 2015

Exhibit 3.2

 

THE COMPANIES ACT (AS REVISED)

 

EXEMPTED COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES

 

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED

 

MEMORANDUM OF ASSOCIATION

 

OF

 

LZ Technology Holdings Limited

联掌科技控股有限公司

 

(Conditionally adopted by way of a special resolution passed on [●] and to become effective upon the United States Securities and Exchange Commission’s declaration of effectiveness of the registration statement on Form F-1 with effect from [●] )

 

1.The name of the Company is LZ Technology Holdings Limited 联掌科技控股有限公司.

 

2.The registered office of the Company shall be at the offices of Sertus Incorporations (Cayman) Limited, Sertus Chambers, Governors Square, Suite # 5-204, 23 Lime Tree Bay Avenue, P.O. Box 2547, Grand Cayman, KY1-1104, Cayman Islands.

 

3.Subject to the following provisions of this Memorandum, the objects for which the Company is established are unrestricted and shall include, but without limitation:

 

(a)to act and perform all the functions of a holding company in all its branches and to coordinate the policy and administration of any subsidiary company or companies wherever incorporated or carrying on business or of any group of companies of which the Company or any subsidiary company is a member or which are in any manner controlled directly or indirectly by the Company;

 

(b)to act as an investment company and for that purpose to subscribe, acquire, hold, dispose, sell, deal in or trade upon any terms, whether conditionally or absolutely, shares, stock, debentures, debenture stock, annuities, notes, mortgages, bonds, obligations and securities, foreign exchange, foreign currency deposits and commodities, issued or guaranteed by any company wherever incorporated, or by any government, sovereign, ruler, commissioners, public body or authority, supreme, municipal, local or otherwise, by original subscription, tender, purchase, exchange, underwriting, participation in syndicates or in any other manner and whether or not fully paid up, and to meet calls thereon.

 

4.Subject to the following provisions of this Memorandum, the Company shall have and be capable of exercising all the functions of a natural person of full capacity irrespective of any question of corporate benefit, as provided by Section 27(2) of the Companies Act.

 

5.Nothing in this Memorandum shall permit the Company to carry on a business for which a licence is required under the laws of the Cayman Islands unless duly licensed.

 

6.The Company shall not trade in the Cayman Islands with any person, firm or corporation except in furtherance of the business of the Company carried on outside the Cayman Islands; provided that nothing in this clause shall be construed as to prevent the Company effecting and concluding contracts in the Cayman Islands, and exercising in the Cayman Islands all of its powers necessary for the carrying on of its business outside the Cayman Islands.

 

 

 

 

7.The liability of each member is limited to the amount from time to time unpaid on such member’s shares.

 

8.The share capital of the Company is US$50,000.00 divided into 500,000,000 shares of a nominal or par value of US$0.0001 each, comprising of (a) 20,000,000 Class A Ordinary Shares of a nominal or par value of US$0.0001 each, (b) 470,000,000 Class B Ordinary Shares of a nominal or par value of US$0.0001 each, and (c) 10,000,000 shares with a nominal or par value of US$0.0001 each of such class or classes (however designated) as the Board may determine in accordance with Article 13 of the Articles of Association of the Company each with the power for the Company, insofar as is permitted by law, to redeem or purchase any of its shares and to increase or reduce the said share capital subject to the provisions of the Companies Act (As Revised) and the Articles of Association of the Company and to issue any part of its capital, whether original, redeemed or increased, with or without any preference, priority or special privilege or subject to any postponement of rights or to any conditions or restrictions; and so that, unless the conditions of issue shall otherwise expressly declare, every issue of shares, whether declared to be preference or otherwise, shall be subject to the power hereinbefore contained.

 

9.The Company may exercise the power contained in the Companies Act to deregister in the Cayman Islands and be registered by way of continuation in another jurisdiction.

 

10.Capitalised terms that are not defined in this memorandum of association shall bear the same meanings as those given in the articles of association of the Company.

 

 

 

 

The Companies Act (As Revised)

Exempted Company Limited by Shares

 

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED

 

ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

 

OF

 

LZ Technology Holdings Limited

联掌科技控股有限公司

 

(Conditionally adopted by way of a special resolution passed on [●] and to become effective upon the United States Securities and Exchange Commission’s declaration of effectiveness of the registration statement on Form F-1 with effect from [●] )

 

 

 

 

I N D E X

 

SUBJECT   Article No.
     
Table A   1
Interpretation   2
Share Capital   6
Alteration Of Capital   7-8
Share Rights   8-10
Variation Of Rights   10
Shares   11
Share Certificates   12-13
Lien   13
Calls On Shares   14
Forfeiture Of Shares   15-16
Register Of Members   16
Record Dates   17
Transfer Of Shares   17-18
Transmission Of Shares   19
Untraceable Members   19-20
General Meetings   20
Notice Of General Meetings   21
Proceedings At General Meetings   21-22
Voting   22-25
Proxies   25-26
Corporations Acting By Representatives   26
Action By Written Resolutions Of Members   27
Board Of Directors   27
Disqualification Of Directors   28
Executive Directors   28
Alternate Directors   29
Directors’ Fees And Expenses   30
Directors’ Interests   30-31
General Powers Of The Directors   32-33
Borrowing Powers   34
Proceedings Of The Directors   34-35
Audit Committee   36
Officers   36-37
Register of Directors and Officers   37
Minutes   37
Seal   37
Authentication Of Documents   38
Destruction Of Documents   38-39
Dividends And Other Payments   39-43
Reserves   43
Capitalisation   43-44
Subscription Rights Reserve   44-45
Accounting Records   46
Audit   47
Notices   47-49
Signatures   49
Winding Up   49
Indemnity   50
Financial Year End   50
Amendment To Memorandum and Articles of Association And Name of Company   50
Information   50

 

 

 

 

THE COMPANIES ACT (AS REVISED)

EXEMPTED COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES

 

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED

ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

 

OF

 

LZ Technology Holdings Limited

联掌科技控股有限公司

 

(Conditionally adopted by way of a special resolution passed on [●] and to become effective upon the United States Securities and Exchange Commission’s declaration of effectiveness of the registration statement on Form F-1 with effect from [●] )

 

TABLE A

 

1. The regulations in Table A in the Schedule to the Companies Act (As Revised) do not apply to the Company.

 

INTERPRETATION

 

2. (1) In these Articles, unless the context otherwise requires, the words standing in the first column of the following table shall bear the meaning set opposite them respectively in the second column.

 

WORD

MEANING

   
“Act”

The Companies Act, Cap. 22 (As Revised) of the Cayman Islands.

   
“Affiliate”

shall have the meaning given to it in Rule 405 of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. With respect to a natural person, “Affiliate” shall also mean such person’s spouse, parents, children and siblings, whether by blood, marriage or adoption or anyone residing in such person’s home.

   
“Articles”

these Articles in their present form or as supplemented or amended or substituted from time to time.

   
“Audit Committee” the audit committee of the Company formed by the Board pursuant to Article 123 hereof, or any successor audit committee.
   
“Auditor” the independent auditor of the Company which shall be an internationally recognized firm of independent accountants.

 

- 1 -

 

 

“Board” or “Directors” the board of directors of the Company or the directors present at a meeting of directors of the Company at which a quorum is present.
   
“capital” the share capital from time to time of the Company.
   
“Class A Ordinary Shares” class A ordinary shares with a par value of US$0.0001 each of the Company having the rights set out in these Articles.
   
“Class B Ordinary Shares” class B ordinary shares with a par value of US$0.0001 each of the Company having the rights set out in these Articles.
   
“clear days” in relation to the period of a notice, that period excluding the day when the notice is given or deemed to be given and the day for which it is given or on which it is to take effect.
   
“clearing house” a clearing house recognised by the laws of the jurisdiction in which the shares of the Company (or depositary receipts therefor) are listed or quoted on a stock exchange or interdealer quotation system in such jurisdiction.
   
“Company”

LZ Technology Holdings Limited

联掌科技控股有限公司.

   
“competent regulatory authority” a competent regulatory authority in the territory where the shares of the Company (or depositary receipts therefor) are listed or quoted on a stock exchange or interdealer quotation system in such territory.
   
“Conversion Date” in respect of a Conversion Notice means the day on which that Conversion Notice is delivered.
   
“Conversion Notice” a written notice delivered to the Company at its Office (and as otherwise stated therein) stating that a holder of Class A Ordinary Shares elects to convert the number of Class A Ordinary Shares specified therein pursuant to Article 10.
   
“Conversion Number” in relation to any Class A Ordinary Shares, such number of Class B Ordinary Shares as may, upon exercise of the Conversion Right, be issued at the Conversion Rate.
   
“Conversion Rate” means, at any time, on a 1 : 1 basis.
   
“Conversion Right” in respect of a Class A Ordinary Share means the right of its holder, subject to the provisions of these Articles and to any applicable fiscal or other laws or regulations including the Act, to convert all or any of its Class A Ordinary Shares, into the Conversion Number of Class B Ordinary Shares in its discretion.

 

- 2 -

 

 

“debenture” and “debenture holder” include debenture stock and debenture stockholder respectively.
   
“Designated Stock Exchange”

the stock exchange in the United States of America on which any shares are listed for trading.

 

“dollars” and “$” dollars, the legal currency of the United States of America.
   
“Exchange Act” the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
   
“head office” such office of the Company as the Directors may from time to time determine to be the principal office of the Company.
   
“Independent Director”

a director who is an independent director as defined in the applicable rules and regulations of the Designated Stock Exchange.

 

“Member” a duly registered holder from time to time of the shares in the capital of the Company.
   
“Memorandum of Association” the memorandum of association of the Company, as amended from time to time.
   
“month” a calendar month.
   
“Notice” written notice unless otherwise specifically stated and as further defined in these Articles.
   
“Office” the registered office of the Company for the time being.
   
“ordinary resolution” a resolution shall be an ordinary resolution when it has been passed by a simple majority of votes, cast by such Members as, being entitled so to do, vote in person or, in the case of any Member being a corporation, by its duly authorised representative or, where proxies are allowed, by proxy at a general meeting of which Notice has been duly given in accordance with Article 60;
   
“paid up” paid up or credited as paid up.
   
“Register” the principal register and where applicable, any branch register of Members of the Company to be maintained at such place within or outside the Cayman Islands as the Board shall determine from time to time.

 

- 3 -

 

 

“Registration Office” in respect of any class of share capital such place as the Board may from time to time determine to keep a branch register of Members in respect of that class of share capital and where (except in cases where the Board otherwise directs) the transfers or other documents of title for such class of share capital are to be lodged for registration and are to be registered.
   
“SEC” the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
   
“Securities Act”

mean the U.S. Securities Act 1933 as amended, or any

similar federal statute and the rules and regulations of the SEC thereunder as the same shall be in effect from time to time.

   
“Seal” common seal or any one or more duplicate seals of the Company (including a securities seal) for use in the Cayman Islands or in any place outside the Cayman Islands.
   
“Secretary” any person, firm or corporation appointed by the Board to perform any of the duties of secretary of the Company and includes any assistant, deputy, temporary or acting secretary.
   
“shares”

shares in the share capital of the Company.

 

“special resolution”

a resolution shall be a special resolution when it has been passed by a majority of not less than two-thirds of votes, cast by such Members as, being entitled so to do, vote in person or, in the case of such Members as are corporations, by their respective duly authorised representative or, where proxies are allowed, by proxy at a general meeting of which Notice has been duly given in accordance with Article 60;

 

  a special resolution shall be effective for any purpose for which an ordinary resolution is expressed to be required under any provision of these Articles or the Statutes.
   
“Statutes” the Act and every other law of the Legislature of the Cayman Islands for the time being in force applying to or affecting the Company, its Memorandum of Association and/or these Articles.
   
“year” a calendar year.

 

- 4 -

 

 

(2)In these Articles, unless there be something within the subject or context inconsistent with such construction:

 

(a)words importing the singular include the plural and vice versa;

 

(b)words importing a gender include both gender and the neuter;

 

(c)words importing persons include companies, associations and bodies of persons whether corporate or not;

 

(d)the words:

 

(i)“may” shall be construed as permissive;

 

(ii)“shall” or “will” shall be construed as imperative;

 

(e)expressions referring to writing shall, unless the contrary intention appears, be construed as including printing, lithography, email, facsimile, photography and other modes of representing words or figures in a visible form, and including where the representation takes the form of electronic display, or represented by any other substitute or format for storage or transmission for writing or partly one and partly another provided that both the mode of service of the relevant document or Notice and the Member’s election comply with all applicable Statutes, rules and regulations;

 

(f)any requirement as to delivery under the Articles include delivery in the form of an electronic record (as defined in the Electronic Transactions Act of the Cayman Islands) or an electronic communication;

 

(g)references to any law, ordinance, statute or statutory provision shall be interpreted as relating to any statutory modification or re-enactment thereof for the time being in force;

 

(h)save as aforesaid words and expressions defined in the Statutes shall bear the same meanings in these Articles if not inconsistent with the subject in the context;

 

(i)references to a document (including, but without limitation, a resolution in writing) being signed or executed include references to it being signed or executed under hand or under seal or by electronic communication or by electronic signature or by any other method and references to a Notice or document include a Notice or document recorded or stored in any digital, electronic, electrical, magnetic or other retrievable form or medium and information in visible form whether having physical substance or not;

 

(j)reference to a meeting shall, where the context is appropriate, include a meeting that has been postponed by the Board pursuant to Article 65;

 

(k)Sections 8 and 19 of the Electronic Transaction Act of the Cayman Islands, as amended from time to time, shall not apply to these Articles to the extent it imposes obligations or requirements in addition to those set out in these Articles;

 

(l)where a Member is a corporation, any reference in these Articles to a Member shall, where the context requires, refer to a duly authorised representative of such Member; and

 

(m)references to “in the ordinary course of business” and comparable expressions mean the ordinary and usual course of business of the relevant party, consistent in all material respects (including nature and scope) with the prior practice of such party.

 

- 5 -

 

 

SHARE CAPITAL

 

3. (1) The share capital of the Company at the date on which these Articles come into effect shall be US$50,000.00 divided into 500,000,000 shares of a nominal or par value of US$0.0001 each, comprising of (a) 20,000,000 Class A Ordinary Shares of a nominal or par value of US$0.0001 each, (b) 470,000,000 Class B Ordinary Shares of a nominal or par value of US$0.0001 each, and (c) 10,000,000 shares with a nominal or par value of US$0.0001 each of such class or classes (however designated) as the Board may determine in accordance with Article 13 of the Articles of Association of the Company.

 

(2) Subject to the Act, the Company’s Memorandum and Articles of Association and, where applicable, the rules and regulations of the Designated Stock Exchange and/or any competent regulatory authority, the Company shall have the power to purchase or otherwise acquire its own shares and such power shall be exercisable by the Board in such manner, upon such terms and subject to such conditions as it in its absolute discretion thinks fit and any determination by the Board of the manner of purchase shall be deemed authorized by these Articles for purposes of the Act. Subject to the Act, the Company is hereby authorized to make payments in respect of a redemption or purchase of its own shares in any manner authorized by the Act, including out of its capital. The purchase of any share shall not oblige the Company to purchase any other share other than as may be required pursuant to applicable law and any other contractual obligations of the Company.

 

(3) The Company is authorised to hold treasury shares in accordance with the Act and may designate as treasury shares any of its shares that it purchases or redeems, or any share surrendered to it subject to the rules and regulations of the Designated Stock Exchange and/or any competent regulatory authority. Shares held by the Company as treasury shares shall continue to be classified as treasury shares until such shares are either cancelled or transferred as the Board may determine on such terms and subject to such conditions as it in its absolute discretion thinks fits in accordance with the Act subject to the rules and regulations of the Designated Stock Exchange and/or any competent regulatory authority.

 

(4) The Company may accept the surrender for no consideration of any fully paid share unless, as a result of such surrender, there would no longer be any issued shares of the Company other than shares held as treasury shares.

 

(5) No share shall be issued to bearer.

 

- 6 -

 

 

ALTERATION OF CAPITAL

 

4. (1) The Company may from time to time by ordinary resolution in accordance with the Act alter the conditions of its Memorandum of Association to:

 

(a)increase its capital by such sum, to be divided into shares of such amounts, as the resolution shall prescribe;

 

(b)consolidate and divide all or any of its capital into shares of larger amount than its existing shares;

 

(c)without prejudice to the powers of the Board under Article 13, divide its shares into several classes and without prejudice to any special rights previously conferred on the holders of existing shares attach thereto respectively any preferential, deferred, qualified or special rights, privileges, conditions or such restrictions which in the absence of any such determination by the Company in general meeting, as the Directors may determine provided always that, for the avoidance of doubt, where a class of shares has been authorized by the Company no resolution of the Company in general meeting is required for the issuance of shares of that class and the Directors may issue shares of that class and determine such rights, privileges, conditions or restrictions attaching thereto as aforesaid, and further provided that where the Company issues shares which do not carry voting rights, the words “non-voting” shall appear in the designation of such shares and where the equity capital includes shares with different voting rights, the designation of each class of shares, other than those with the most favourable voting rights, must include the words “restricted voting” or “limited voting”;

 

(d)sub-divide its shares, or any of them, into shares of smaller amount than is fixed by the Memorandum of Association (subject, nevertheless, to the Act), and may by such resolution determine that, as between the holders of the shares resulting from such sub-division, one or more of the shares may have any such preferred, deferred or other rights or be subject to any such restrictions as compared with the other or others as the Company has power to attach to unissued or new shares;

 

(e)cancel any shares which, at the date of the passing of the resolution, have not been taken, or agreed to be taken, by any person, and diminish the amount of its capital by the amount of the shares so cancelled or, in the case of shares, without par value, diminish the number of shares into which its capital is divided.

 

(2) No alteration may be made of the kind contemplated by Article 4(1), or otherwise, to the par value of the Class A Ordinary Shares or the Class B Ordinary Shares unless an identical alteration is made to the par value of the Class B Ordinary Shares or the Class A Ordinary Shares, as the case may be.

 

5. The Board may settle as it considers expedient any difficulty which arises in relation to any consolidation and division under the Article 4 and in particular but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing may issue certificates in respect of fractions of shares or arrange for the sale of the shares representing fractions and the distribution of the net proceeds of sale (after deduction of the expenses of such sale) in due proportion amongst the Members who would have been entitled to the fractions, and for this purpose the Board may authorise any person to transfer the shares representing fractions to their purchaser or resolve that such net proceeds be paid to the Company for the Company’s benefit. Such purchaser will not be bound to see to the application of the purchase money nor will his title to the shares be affected by any irregularity or invalidity in the proceedings relating to the sale.

 

- 7 -

 

 

6. The Company may from time to time by special resolution, subject to any confirmation or consent required by the Act, reduce its share capital or any capital redemption reserve or other undistributable reserve in any manner permitted by law.

 

7. Except so far as otherwise provided by the conditions of issue, or by these Articles, any capital raised by the creation of new shares shall be treated as if it formed part of the original capital of the Company, and such shares shall be subject to the provisions contained in these Articles with reference to the payment of calls and instalments, transfer and transmission, forfeiture, lien, cancellation, surrender, voting and otherwise.

 

SHARE RIGHTS

 

8. Subject to the provisions of the Act, the rules and regulations of the Designated Stock Exchange and the Memorandum and Articles of Association and to any special rights conferred on the holders of any shares or class of shares, and without prejudice to Article 13 hereof, any share in the Company (whether forming part of the present capital or not) may be issued with or have attached thereto such rights or restrictions whether in regard to dividend, voting, return of capital or otherwise as the Board may determine, including without limitation on terms that they may be, or at the option of the Company or the holder are, liable to be redeemed on such terms and in such manner, including out of capital, as the Board may deem fit.

 

9. Subject to the Act, the rules and regulations of the Designated Stock Exchange and the Memorandum and Articles of Association, and to any special rights conferred on the holders of any shares or attaching to any class of shares, shares may be issued on the terms that may be or at the option of the Company or the holder are, liable to be redeemed on such terms and in such manner, including out of capital, as the Board may deem fit.

 

10. Subject to Article 13(1), the Memorandum of Association and any resolution of the Members to the contrary and without prejudice to any special rights conferred thereby on the holders of any other shares or class of shares, the share capital of the Company immediately upon the effectiveness of these Articles shall be divided into shares of two classes, Class A Ordinary Shares and Class B Ordinary Shares. The Class A Ordinary Shares and the Class B Ordinary Shares shall carry equal rights and rank pari passu with one another other than as set out below:

 

(a)As regards conversion

 

(i)Subject to the provisions hereof and to compliance with all fiscal and other laws and regulations applicable thereto, including the Act, a holder of Class A Ordinary Shares shall have the Conversion Right in respect of each Class A Ordinary Share. For the avoidance of doubt, a holder of Class B Ordinary Shares shall have no rights to convert Class B Ordinary Shares into Class A Ordinary Shares under any circumstances.

 

(ii)Each Class A Ordinary Share shall be converted at the option of the holder, at any time after issue and without the payment of any additional sum, into one fully paid Class B Ordinary Share calculated at the Conversion Rate. Such conversion shall take effect on the Conversion Date. A Conversion Notice shall not be effective if it is not accompanied by the share certificates in respect of the relevant Class A Ordinary Shares and such other evidence (if any) as the Directors may reasonably require to prove the title of the person exercising such right (or, if such certificates have been lost or destroyed, such evidence of title and such indemnity as the Directors may reasonably require). Any and all taxes and stamp, issue and registration duties (if any) arising on conversion shall be borne by the holder of Class A Ordinary Shares requesting conversion.

 

- 8 -

 

 

(iii)On the Conversion Date, every Class A Ordinary Share to be converted shall automatically be re-designated and re-classified as a Class B Ordinary Share with such rights and restrictions attached thereto and shall rank pari passu in all respects with the Class B Ordinary Shares then in issue and the Company shall enter or procure the entry of the name of the relevant holder of Class A Ordinary Shares as the holder of the same number of Class B Ordinary Shares resulting from the conversion of the Class A Ordinary Shares in, and make any other necessary and consequential changes to, the Register and shall procure that certificates in respect of the relevant Class B Ordinary Shares, together with a new certificate for any unconverted Class A Ordinary Shares comprised in the certificate(s) surrendered by the holder of the Class A Ordinary Shares, are issued to the holders thereof.

 

(iv)Until such time as the Class A Ordinary Shares have been converted into Class B Ordinary Shares, the Company shall:

 

(1)at all times keep available for issue and free of all liens, charges, options, mortgages, pledges, claims, equities, encumbrances and other third-party rights of any nature, and not subject to any pre-emptive rights out of its authorised but unissued share capital, such number of authorised but unissued Class B Ordinary Shares as would enable all Class A Ordinary Shares to be converted into Class B Ordinary Shares and any other rights of conversion into, subscription for or exchange into Class B Ordinary Shares to be satisfied in full; and

 

(2)not make any issue, grant or distribution or take any other action if the effect would be that on the conversion of the Class A Ordinary Shares to Class B Ordinary Shares it would be required to issue Class B Ordinary Shares at a price lower than the par value thereof.

 

(b)As regards Voting Rights

 

Holders of Class A Ordinary Shares and Class B Ordinary Shares have the right to receive notice of, attend, speak and vote at general meetings of the Company. Holders of Class A Ordinary Shares and Class B Ordinary Shares shall, at all times (other than in respect of separate general meetings of the holders of a class or series of shares held in accordance with Article 11 below), vote together as one class on all matters submitted to a vote for Members’ consent. Each fully paid Class A Ordinary Share shall be entitled to ten (10) votes on all matters subject to the vote at general meetings of the Company, and each fully paid Class B Ordinary Share shall be entitled to one (1) vote on all matters subject to the vote at general meetings of the Company. No amount paid up or credited as paid up on a share in advance of calls or instalments is treated for the foregoing purposes as paid up on the share.

 

- 9 -

 

 

(c)As regards Transfer

 

Upon any sale, transfer, assignment or disposition of Class A Ordinary Shares by a holder thereof to any person or entity which is not an Affiliate of such holder or already a holder of Class A Ordinary Shares, such Class A Ordinary Shares validly transferred to the new holder shall be automatically and immediately converted into an equal number of Class B Ordinary Shares.

 

For the avoidance of doubt, (i) a sale, transfer, assignment or disposition shall be effective upon the Company’s registration of such sale, transfer, assignment or disposition in the Company’s Register; and (ii) the creation of any pledge, charge, encumbrance or other third party right of whatever description on any of Class A Ordinary Shares to secure a holder’s contractual or legal obligations shall not be deemed as a sale, transfer, assignment or disposition unless and until any such pledge, charge, encumbrance or other third party right is enforced and results in the third party holding legal title to the related Class A Ordinary Shares, in which case all the related Class A Ordinary Shares shall be automatically converted into the same number of Class B Ordinary Shares upon the Company’s registration of the third party or its designee as a Member holding that number of Class B Ordinary Shares in the Register.

 

VARIATION OF RIGHTS

 

11. Subject to the Act and without prejudice to Article 8, all or any of the special rights for the time being attached to the shares or any class of shares may, unless otherwise provided by the terms of issue of the shares of that class, from time to time (whether or not the Company is being wound up) be varied, modified or abrogated with the sanction of a special resolution passed at a separate general meeting of the holders of the shares of that class. To every such separate general meeting all the provisions of these Articles relating to general meetings of the Company shall, mutatis mutandis, apply, but so that:

 

(a)separate general meetings of the holders of a class or series of shares may be called only by (i) the Chairman of the Board, or (ii) a majority of the entire Board (unless otherwise specifically provided by the terms of issue of the shares of such class or series). Nothing in this Article 11 shall be deemed to give any Member or Members the right to call a class or series meeting;

 

(b)the necessary quorum (whether at a separate general meeting or at its adjourned meeting or postponed meeting) shall be a person or persons or (in the case of a Member being a corporation) its duly authorized representative together holding or representing by proxy not less than one-third of the voting power of the issued shares of that class (but so that if at any adjourned meeting or postponed meeting of such holders a quorum as above defined is not present, those Members who are present shall form a quorum (whatever the number of shares held by them));

 

(c)every holder of shares of the class shall be entitled on a poll to one vote for every such share held by him; and

 

(d)any holder of shares of the class present in person or by proxy or authorised representative may demand a poll.

 

12. The special rights conferred upon the holders of any shares or class of shares shall not, unless otherwise expressly provided in the rights attaching to or the terms of issue of such shares, be deemed to be varied, modified or abrogated by the creation or issue of further shares ranking pari passu therewith or by the issue of preferred shares.

 

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SHARES

 

13. (1) Subject to the Act, these Articles and, where applicable, the rules and regulations of the Designated Stock Exchange and without prejudice to any special rights or restrictions for the time being attached to any shares or any class of shares, the unissued shares of the Company (whether forming part of the original or any increased capital) shall be at the disposal of the Board, which may offer, allot, grant options over or otherwise dispose of them to such persons, at such times and for such consideration and upon such terms and conditions as the Board may in its absolute discretion determine but so that no shares shall be issued at a discount to their nominal value. In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, the Board is hereby empowered to authorize by resolution or resolutions from time to time the issuance of one or more classes or series of preferred shares and to fix the designations, powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional and other rights, if any, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, if any, including, without limitation, the number of shares constituting each such class or series, dividend rights, conversion rights, redemption privileges, voting powers, full or limited or no voting powers, and liquidation preferences, and to increase or decrease the size of any such class or series (but not below the number of shares of any class or series of preferred shares then outstanding) to the extent permitted by the Act. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the resolution or resolutions providing for the establishment of any class or series of preferred shares may, to the extent permitted by law, provide that such class or series shall be superior to, rank equally with or be junior to the preferred shares of any other class or series.

 

(2) Neither the Company nor the Board shall be obliged, when making or granting any allotment of, offer of, option over or disposal of shares, to make, or make available, any such allotment, offer, option or shares to Members or others with registered addresses in any particular territory or territories being a territory or territories where, in the absence of a registration statement or other special formalities, this would or might, in the opinion of the Board, be unlawful or impracticable. Members affected as a result of the foregoing sentence shall not be, or be deemed to be, a separate class of members for any purpose whatsoever. Except as otherwise expressly provided in the resolution or resolutions providing for the establishment of any class or series of preferred shares, no vote of the holders of preferred shares or ordinary shares shall be a prerequisite to the issuance of any shares of any class or series of the preferred shares authorized by and complying with the conditions of the Memorandum and Articles of Association.

 

(3) The Board may issue options, warrants or convertible securities or securities of similar nature conferring the right upon the holders thereof to subscribe for, purchase or receive any class of shares or securities in the capital of the Company on such terms as it may from time to time determine.

 

14. The Company may in connection with the issue of any shares exercise all powers of paying commission and brokerage conferred or permitted by the Act. Subject to the Act, the commission may be satisfied by the payment of cash or by the allotment of fully or partly paid shares or partly in one and partly in the other.

 

15. Except as required by law, no person shall be recognised by the Company as holding any share upon any trust and the Company shall not be bound by or required in any way to recognise (even when having notice thereof) any equitable, contingent, future or partial interest in any share or any fractional part of a share or (except only as otherwise provided by these Articles or by law) any other rights in respect of any share except an absolute right to the entirety thereof in the registered holder.

 

16. Subject to the Act and these Articles, the Board may at any time after the allotment of shares but before any person has been entered in the Register as the holder, recognise a renunciation thereof by the allottee in favour of some other person and may accord to any allottee of a share a right to effect such renunciation upon and subject to such terms and conditions as the Board considers fit to impose.

 

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SHARE CERTIFICATES

 

17. Every share certificate shall be issued under the Seal or a facsimile thereof or with the Seal printed thereon and shall specify the number and class and distinguishing numbers (if any) of the shares to which it relates, and the amount paid up thereon and may otherwise be in such form as the Directors may from time to time determine. No certificate shall be issued representing shares of more than one class. The Board may by resolution determine, either generally or in any particular case or cases, that any signatures on any such certificates (or certificates in respect of other securities) need not be autographic but may be affixed to such certificates by some mechanical means or may be printed thereon.

 

18. (1) In the case of a share held jointly by several persons, the Company shall not be bound to issue more than one certificate therefor and delivery of a certificate to one of several joint holders shall be sufficient delivery to all such holders.

 

(2) Where a share stands in the names of two or more persons, the person first named in the Register shall as regards service of notices and, subject to the provisions of these Articles, all or any other matters connected with the Company, except the transfer of the shares, be deemed the sole holder thereof.

 

19. The Company is not obliged to issue a share certificate to a Member unless the Member requests it in writing from the Company. Every person whose name is entered, upon an allotment of shares, as a Member in the Register shall be entitled without payment, to receive one certificate for all such shares of any one class or several certificates each for one or more of such shares of such class upon payment for every certificate after the first of such reasonable out-of-pocket expenses as the Board from time to time determines.

 

20. Share certificates shall be issued within the relevant time limit as prescribed by the Act or as the Designated Stock Exchange may from time to time determine, whichever is the shorter, after allotment or, except in the case of a transfer which the Company is for the time being entitled to refuse to register and does not register, after lodgment of a transfer with the Company. Every share certificate of the Company shall bear legends required under the applicable laws, including the Securities Act.

 

21. (1) Upon every transfer of shares the certificate held by the transferor shall be given up to be cancelled, and shall forthwith be cancelled accordingly, and a new certificate shall be issued to the transferee in respect of the shares transferred to him at such fee as is provided in paragraph (2) of this Article 21. If any of the shares included in the certificate so given up shall be retained by the transferor a new certificate for the balance shall be issued to him at the aforesaid fee payable by the transferor to the Company in respect thereof.

 

(2) The fee referred to in paragraph (1) above shall be an amount not exceeding the relevant maximum amount as the Designated Stock Exchange may from time to time determine provided that the Board may at any time determine a lower amount for such fee.

 

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22. If a share certificate shall be damaged or defaced or alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed a new certificate representing the same shares may be issued to the relevant Member upon request and on payment of such fee as the Board may determine and, subject to compliance with such terms (if any) as to evidence and indemnity and to payment of the costs and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of the Company in investigating such evidence and preparing such indemnity as the Board may think fit and, in case of damage or defacement, on delivery of the old certificate to the Company provided always that where share warrants have been issued, no new share warrant shall be issued to replace one that has been lost unless the Board has determined that the original has been destroyed.

 

LIEN

 

23. The Company shall have a first and paramount lien on every share (not being a fully paid share) for all moneys (whether presently payable or not) called or payable at a fixed time in respect of that share. The Company shall also have a first and paramount lien on every share (not being a fully paid share) registered in the name of a Member (whether or not jointly with other Members) for all amounts of money presently payable by such Member or his estate to the Company whether the same shall have been incurred before or after notice to the Company of any equitable or other interest of any person other than such member, and whether the period for the payment or discharge of the same shall have actually become due or not, and notwithstanding that the same are joint debts or liabilities of such Member or his estate and any other person, whether a Member or not. The Company’s lien on a share shall extend to all dividends or other moneys payable thereon or in respect thereof. The Board may at any time, generally or in any particular case, waive any lien that has arisen or declare any share exempt in whole or in part, from the provisions of this Article 23.

 

24. Subject to these Articles, the Company may sell in such manner as the Board determines any share on which the Company has a lien, but no sale shall be made unless some sum in respect of which the lien exists is presently payable, or the liability or engagement in respect of which such lien exists is liable to be presently fulfilled or discharged nor until the expiration of fourteen (14) clear days after a notice in writing, stating and demanding payment of the sum presently payable, or specifying the liability or engagement and demanding fulfilment or discharge thereof and giving notice of the intention to sell in default, has been served on the registered holder for the time being of the share or the person entitled thereto by reason of his death or bankruptcy.

 

25. The net proceeds of the sale shall be received by the Company and applied in or towards payment or discharge of the debt or liability in respect of which the lien exists, so far as the same is presently payable, and any residue shall (subject to a like lien for debts or liabilities not presently payable as existed upon the share prior to the sale) be paid to the person entitled to the share at the time of the sale. To give effect to any such sale the Board may authorise some person to transfer the shares sold to the purchaser thereof. The purchaser shall be registered as the holder of the shares so transferred and he shall not be bound to see to the application of the purchase money, nor shall his title to the shares be affected by any irregularity or invalidity in the proceedings relating to the sale.

 

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CALLS ON SHARES

 

26. Subject to these Articles and to the terms of allotment, the Board may from time to time make calls upon the Members in respect of any moneys unpaid on their shares (whether on account of the nominal value of the shares or by way of premium), and each Member shall (subject to being given at least fourteen (14) clear days’ Notice specifying the time and place of payment) pay to the Company as required by such notice the amount called on his shares. A call may be extended, postponed or revoked in whole or in part as the Board determines but no Member shall be entitled to any such extension, postponement or revocation except as a matter of grace and favour.

 

27. A call shall be deemed to have been made at the time when the resolution of the Board authorising the call was passed and may be made payable either in one lump sum or by instalments.

 

28. A person upon whom a call is made shall remain liable for calls made upon him notwithstanding the subsequent transfer of the shares in respect of which the call was made. The joint holders of a share shall be jointly and severally liable to pay all calls and instalments due in respect thereof or other moneys due in respect thereof.

 

29. If a sum called in respect of a share is not paid before or on the day appointed for payment thereof, the person from whom the sum is due shall pay interest on the amount unpaid from the day appointed for payment thereof to the time of actual payment at such rate (not exceeding twenty per cent. (20%) per annum) as the Board may determine, but the Board may in its absolute discretion waive payment of such interest in whole or in part.

 

30. No Member shall be entitled to receive any dividend or bonus or to be present and vote (save as proxy for another Member) at any general meeting either personally or by proxy, or be reckoned in a quorum, or exercise any other privilege as a Member until all calls or instalments due by him to the Company, whether alone or jointly with any other person, together with interest and expenses (if any) shall have been paid.

 

31. On the trial or hearing of any action or other proceedings for the recovery of any money due for any call, it shall be sufficient to prove that the name of the Member sued is entered in the Register as the holder, or one of the holders, of the shares in respect of which such debt accrued, that the resolution making the call is duly recorded in the minute book, and that notice of such call was duly given to the Member sued, in pursuance of these Articles; and it shall not be necessary to prove the appointment of the Directors who made such call, nor any other matters whatsoever, but the proof of the matters aforesaid shall be conclusive evidence of the debt.

 

32. Any amount payable in respect of a share upon allotment or at any fixed date, whether in respect of nominal value or premium or as an instalment of a call, shall be deemed to be a call duly made and payable on the date fixed for payment and if it is not paid the provisions of these Articles shall apply as if that amount had become due and payable by virtue of a call duly made and notified.

 

33. On the issue of shares the Board may differentiate between the allottees or holders as to the amount of calls to be paid and the times of payment.

 

34. The Board may, if it thinks fit, receive from any Member willing to advance the same, and either in money or money’s worth, all or any part of the moneys uncalled and unpaid or instalments payable upon any shares held by him and upon all or any of the moneys so advanced (until the same would, but for such advance, become presently payable) pay interest at such rate (if any) as the Board may decide. The Board may at any time repay the amount so advanced upon giving to such Member not less than one (1) month’s Notice of its intention in that behalf, unless before the expiration of such notice the amount so advanced shall have been called up on the shares in respect of which it was advanced. Such payment in advance shall not entitle the holder of such share or shares to participate in respect thereof in a dividend subsequently declared.

 

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FORFEITURE OF SHARES

 

35. (1) If a call remains unpaid after it has become due and payable the Board may give to the person from whom it is due not less than fourteen (14) clear days’ Notice:

 

(a)requiring payment of the amount unpaid together with any interest which may have accrued and which may still accrue up to the date of actual payment; and

 

(b)stating that if the Notice is not complied with the shares on which the call was made will be liable to be forfeited.

 

(2) If the requirements of any such Notice are not complied with, any share in respect of which such Notice has been given may at any time thereafter, before payment of all calls and interest due in respect thereof has been made, be forfeited by a resolution of the Board to that effect, and such forfeiture shall include all dividends and bonuses declared in respect of the forfeited share but not actually paid before the forfeiture.

 

36. When any share has been forfeited, notice of the forfeiture shall be served upon the person who was before forfeiture the holder of the share. No forfeiture shall be invalidated by any omission or neglect to give such Notice.

 

37. The Board may accept the surrender of any share liable to be forfeited hereunder and, in such case, references in these Articles to forfeiture will include surrender.

 

38. Any share so forfeited shall be deemed the property of the Company and may be sold, re-allotted or otherwise disposed of to such person, upon such terms and in such manner as the Board determines, and at any time before a sale, re-allotment or disposition the forfeiture may be annulled by the Board on such terms as the Board determines.

 

39. A person whose shares have been forfeited shall cease to be a Member in respect of the forfeited shares but nevertheless shall remain liable to pay the Company all moneys which at the date of forfeiture were presently payable by him to the Company in respect of the shares, with (if the Board shall in its discretion so requires) interest thereon from the date of forfeiture until payment at such rate (not exceeding twenty per cent. (20%) per annum) as the Board shall determine. The Board may enforce payment thereof if it thinks fit, and without any deduction or allowance for the value of the forfeited shares, at the date of forfeiture, but his liability shall cease if and when the Company shall have received payment in full of all such moneys in respect of the shares. For the purposes of this Article 39 any sum which, by the terms of issue of a share, is payable thereon at a fixed time which is subsequent to the date of forfeiture, whether on account of the nominal value of the share or by way of premium, shall notwithstanding that time has not yet arrived be deemed to be payable at the date of forfeiture, and the same shall become due and payable immediately upon the forfeiture, but interest thereon shall only be payable in respect of any period between the said fixed time and the date of actual payment.

 

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40. A declaration by a Director or the Secretary that a share has been forfeited on a specified date shall be conclusive evidence of the facts therein stated as against all persons claiming to be entitled to the share, and such declaration shall (subject to the execution of an instrument of transfer by the Company if necessary) constitute a good title to the share, and the person to whom the share is disposed of shall be registered as the holder of the share and shall not be bound to see to the application of the consideration (if any), nor shall his title to the share be affected by any irregularity in or invalidity of the proceedings in reference to the forfeiture, sale or disposal of the share. When any share shall have been forfeited, notice of the declaration shall be given to the Member in whose name it stood immediately prior to the forfeiture, and an entry of the forfeiture, with the date thereof, shall forthwith be made in the Register, but no forfeiture shall be in any manner invalidated by any omission or neglect to give such notice or make any such entry.

 

41. Notwithstanding any such forfeiture as aforesaid the Board may at any time, before any shares so forfeited shall have been sold, re-allotted or otherwise disposed of, permit the shares forfeited to be bought back upon the terms of payment of all calls and interest due upon and expenses incurred in respect of the share, and upon such further terms (if any) as it thinks fit.

 

42. The forfeiture of a share shall not prejudice the right of the Company to any call already made or instalment payable thereon.

 

43. The provisions of these Articles as to forfeiture shall apply in the case of non-payment of any sum which, by the terms of issue of a share, becomes payable at a fixed time, whether on account of the nominal value of the share or by way of premium, as if the same had been payable by virtue of a call duly made and notified.

 

REGISTER OF MEMBERS

 

44. (1) The Company shall keep in one or more books a Register of its Members and shall enter therein the following particulars, that is to say:

 

(a)the name and address of each Member, the number and class of shares held by him and the amount paid or agreed to be considered as paid on such shares;

 

(b)the date on which each person was entered in the Register; and

 

(c)the date on which any person ceased to be a Member.

 

(2) The Company may keep an overseas or local or other branch register of Members resident in any place, and the Board may make and vary such regulations as it determines in respect of the keeping of any such register and maintaining a Registration Office in connection therewith.

 

45. The Register and branch register of Members, as the case may be, shall be open to inspection for such times and on such days as the Board shall determine by Members without charge or by any other person, upon a maximum payment of $2.50 or such other sum specified by the Board, at the Office or Registration Office or such other place at which the Register is kept in accordance with the Act. The Register including any overseas or local or other branch register of Members may, after compliance with any notice requirements of the Designated Stock Exchange or by any electronic means in such manner as may be accepted by the Designated Stock Exchange to that effect, be closed for inspection at such times or for such periods not exceeding in the whole thirty (30) days in each year as the Board may determine and either generally or in respect of any class of shares.

 

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RECORD DATES

 

46. For the purpose of determining the Members entitled to notice of or to vote at any general meeting, or any adjournment or postponement thereof, or entitled to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of shares or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board may fix, in advance, a date as the record date for any such determination of Members, which date shall not be more than ninety (90) days nor less than ten (10) days before the date of such meeting, nor more than ninety (90) days prior to any other such action.

 

If the Board does not fix a record date for any general meeting, the record date for determining the Members entitled to a notice of or to vote at such meeting shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if in accordance with these Articles notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held. The record date for determining the Members for any other purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board adopts the resolution relating thereto.

 

A determination of the Members of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of the Members shall apply to any adjournment or postponement of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting or postponed meeting.

 

TRANSFER OF SHARES

 

47. (1) Subject to these Articles, including, without limitation, in the case of Class A Ordinary Shares, Article 10(c), any Member may transfer all or any of his shares by an instrument of transfer in the usual or common form or in a form prescribed by the Designated Stock Exchange or in any other form approved by the Board and may be under hand or, if the transferor or transferee is a clearing house or a central depository house or its nominee(s), by hand or by machine imprinted signature or by such other manner of execution as the Board may approve from time to time.

 

(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraph (1) above, for so long as any shares are listed on the Designated Stock Exchange, titles to such listed shares may be evidenced and transferred in accordance with the laws applicable to and the rules and regulations of the Designated Stock Exchange that are or shall be applicable to such listed shares. The register of members of the Company in respect of its listed shares (whether the Register or a branch register) may be kept by recording the particulars required by Section 40 of the Act in a form otherwise than legible if such recording otherwise complies with the laws applicable to and the rules and regulations of the Designated Stock Exchange that are or shall be applicable to such listed shares.

 

48. The instrument of transfer shall be executed by or on behalf of the transferor and the transferee provided that the Board may dispense with the execution of the instrument of transfer by the transferee in any case which it thinks fit in its discretion to do so. Without prejudice to Article 47, the Board may also resolve, either generally or in any particular case, upon request by either the transferor or transferee, to accept mechanically executed transfers. The transferor shall be deemed to remain the holder of the share until the name of the transferee is entered in the Register in respect thereof. Nothing in these Articles shall preclude the Board from recognising a renunciation of the allotment or provisional allotment of any share by the allottee in favour of some other person.

 

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49. (1) The Board may, in its absolute discretion, and without giving any reason therefor, refuse to register a transfer of any share (not being a fully paid up share) to a person of whom it does not approve, or any share issued under any share incentive scheme for employees upon which a restriction on transfer imposed thereby still subsists, and it may also, without prejudice to the foregoing generality, refuse to register a transfer of any share to more than four joint holders or a transfer of any share (not being a fully paid up share) on which the Company has a lien.

 

(2) The Board in so far as permitted by any applicable law may, in its absolute discretion, at any time and from time to time transfer any share upon the Register to any branch register or any share on any branch register to the Register or any other branch register. In the event of any such transfer, the shareholder requesting such transfer shall bear the cost of effecting the transfer unless the Board otherwise determines.

 

(3) Unless the Board otherwise agrees (which agreement may be on such terms and subject to such conditions as the Board in its absolute discretion may from time to time determine, and which agreement the Board shall, without giving any reason therefor, be entitled in its absolute discretion to give or withhold), no shares upon the Register shall be transferred to any branch register nor shall shares on any branch register be transferred to the Register or any other branch register and all transfers and other documents of title shall be lodged for registration, and registered, in the case of any shares on a branch register, at the relevant Registration Office, and, in the case of any shares on the Register, at the Office or such other place at which the Register is kept in accordance with the Act.

 

50. Without limiting the generality of the Article 49, the Board may decline to recognise any instrument of transfer unless:-

 

(a)a fee of such maximum sum as the Designated Stock Exchange may determine to be payable or such lesser sum as the Board may from time to time require is paid to the Company in respect thereof;

 

(b)the instrument of transfer is in respect of only one class of share;

 

(c)the instrument of transfer is lodged at the Office or such other place at which the Register is kept in accordance with the Act or the Registration Office (as the case may be) accompanied by the relevant share certificate(s) and such other evidence as the Board may reasonably require to show the right of the transferor to make the transfer (and, if the instrument of transfer is executed by some other person on his behalf, the authority of that person so to do); and

 

(d)if applicable, the instrument of transfer is duly and properly stamped.

 

51. If the Board refuses to register a transfer of any share, it shall, within two months after the date on which the transfer was lodged with the Company, send to each of the transferor and transferee notice of the refusal.

 

52. The registration of transfers of shares or of any class of shares may, after compliance with any notice requirement of the Designated Stock Exchange, be suspended at such times and for such periods (not exceeding in the whole thirty (30) days in any year) as the Board may determine. The period of thirty (30) days may be extended for a further period or periods not exceeding thirty (30) days in respect of any year if approved by the Members by ordinary resolution.

 

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TRANSMISSION OF SHARES

 

53. If a Member dies, the survivor or survivors where the deceased was a joint holder, and his legal personal representatives where he was a sole or only surviving holder, will be the only persons recognised by the Company as having any title to his interest in the shares; but nothing in this Article will release the estate of a deceased Member (whether sole or joint) from any liability in respect of any share which had been solely or jointly held by him.

 

54. Any person becoming entitled to a share in consequence of the death or bankruptcy or winding-up of a Member may, upon such evidence as to his title being produced as may be required by the Board, elect either to become the holder of the share or to have some person nominated by him registered as the transferee thereof. If he elects to become the holder he shall notify the Company in writing either at the Registration Office or the Office, as the case may be, to that effect. If he elects to have another person registered he shall execute a transfer of the share in favour of that person. The provisions of these Articles relating to the transfer and registration of transfers of shares shall apply to such notice or transfer as aforesaid as if the death or bankruptcy of the Member had not occurred and the notice or transfer were a transfer signed by such Member.

 

55. A person becoming entitled to a share by reason of the death or bankruptcy or winding-up of a Member shall be entitled to the same dividends and other advantages to which he would be entitled if he were the registered holder of the share. However, the Board may, if it thinks fit, withhold the payment of any dividend payable or other advantages in respect of such share until such person shall become the registered holder of the share or shall have effectually transferred such share, but, subject to the requirements of Article 76(2) being met, such a person may vote at meetings.

 

UNTRACEABLE MEMBERS

 

56. (1) Without prejudice to the rights of the Company under paragraph (2) of this Article 56, the Company may cease sending cheques for dividend entitlements or dividend warrants by post if such cheques or warrants have been left uncashed on two consecutive occasions. However, the Company may exercise the power to cease sending cheques for dividend entitlements or dividend warrants after the first occasion on which such a cheque or warrant is returned undelivered.

 

(2) The Company shall have the power to sell, in such manner as the Board thinks fit, any shares of a Member who is untraceable, but no such sale shall be made unless:

 

(a)all cheques or warrants in respect of dividends of the shares in question, being not less than three in total number, for any sum payable in cash to the holder of such shares in respect of them sent during the relevant period in the manner authorised by the Articles have remained uncashed;

 

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(b)so far as it is aware at the end of the relevant period, the Company has not at any time during the relevant period received any indication of the existence of the Member who is the holder of such shares or of a person entitled to such shares by death, bankruptcy or operation of law; and

 

(c)the Company, if so required by the rules governing the listing of shares on the Designated Stock Exchange, has given notice to, and caused advertisement in newspapers to be made in accordance with the requirements of, the Designated Stock Exchange of its intention to sell such shares in the manner required by the Designated Stock Exchange, and a period of three (3) months or such shorter period as may be allowed by the Designated Stock Exchange has elapsed since the date of such advertisement.

 

For the purpose of the foregoing, the “relevant period” means the period commencing twelve (12) years before the date of publication of the advertisement referred to in paragraph (c) of this Article and ending at the expiry of the period referred to in that paragraph.

 

(3) To give effect to any such sale the Board may authorise some person to transfer the said shares and an instrument of transfer signed or otherwise executed by or on behalf of such person shall be as effective as if it had been executed by the registered holder or the person entitled by transmission to such shares, and the purchaser shall not be bound to see to the application of the purchase money nor shall his title to the shares be affected by any irregularity or invalidity in the proceedings relating to the sale. The net proceeds of the sale will belong to the Company and upon receipt by the Company of such net proceeds it shall become indebted to the former Member for an amount equal to such net proceeds. No trust shall be created in respect of such debt and no interest shall be payable in respect of it and the Company shall not be required to account for any money earned from the net proceeds which may be employed in the business of the Company or as it thinks fit. Any sale under this Article shall be valid and effective notwithstanding that the Member holding the shares sold is dead, bankrupt or otherwise under any legal disability or incapacity.

 

GENERAL MEETINGS

 

57. The Company shall, if required by the Statute, in each year hold a general meeting as its annual general meeting, and shall specify the meeting as such in the notices calling it. An annual general meeting of the Company, if held, shall be held at such time and place as may be determined by the Board.

 

58. Each general meeting, other than an annual general meeting, shall be called an extraordinary general meeting. General meetings may be held at such times and in any location in the world as may be determined by the Board. Notwithstanding any provisions in these Articles, any general meeting or any class meeting may be held by means of such telephone, electronic or other communication facilities as to permit all persons participating in the meeting to communicate with each other, and participation in such a meeting shall constitute presence at such meeting. Unless otherwise determined by the Directors, the manner of convening and the proceedings at a general meeting set out in these Articles shall, mutatis mutandis, apply to a general meeting held wholly by or in-combination with electronic means.

 

59. Only a majority of the Board or the Chairman of the Board may call extraordinary general meetings, which extraordinary general meetings shall be held at such times and locations (as permitted hereby) as such person or persons shall determine.

 

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NOTICE OF GENERAL MEETINGS

 

60. (1) An annual general meeting and any extraordinary general meeting may be called by not less than ten (10) clear days’ Notice but a general meeting may be called by shorter notice, subject to the Act, if it is so agreed:

 

(a)in the case of a meeting called as an annual general meeting, by all the Members entitled to attend and vote thereat; and

 

(b)in the case of any other meeting, by a majority in number of the Members having the right to attend and vote at the meeting, being a majority together holding not less than ninety-five per cent. (95%) in nominal value of the issued shares giving that right.

 

(2) The notice shall specify the time and place of the meeting and, in case of special business, the general nature of the business. The notice convening an annual general meeting shall specify the meeting as such. Notice of every general meeting shall be given to all Members other than to such Members as, under the provisions of these Articles or the terms of issue of the shares they hold, are not entitled to receive such notices from the Company, to all persons entitled to a share in consequence of the death or bankruptcy or winding-up of a Member and to each of the Directors.

 

61. The accidental omission to give Notice of a meeting or (in cases where instruments of proxy are sent out with the Notice) to send such instrument of proxy to, or the non-receipt of such Notice or such instrument of proxy by, any person entitled to receive such Notice shall not invalidate any resolution passed or the proceedings at that meeting.

 

PROCEEDINGS AT GENERAL MEETINGS

 

62. (1) All business shall be deemed special that is transacted at an extraordinary general meeting, and also all business that is transacted at an annual general meeting, with the exception of:

 

(a)the declaration and sanctioning of dividends; and

 

(b)consideration and adoption of the accounts and balance sheet and the reports of the Directors and Auditors and other documents required to be annexed to the balance sheet.

 

(2) No business other than the appointment of a chairman of a meeting shall be transacted at any general meeting unless a quorum is present at the commencement of the business. At any general meeting of the Company, two (2) Members entitled to vote and present in person or by proxy or (in the case of a Member being a corporation) by its duly authorised representative representing not less than one-third of the voting power of the total issued shares in the Company throughout the meeting shall form a quorum for all purposes.

 

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63. If within thirty (30) minutes (or such longer time not exceeding one hour as the chairman of the meeting may determine to wait) after the time appointed for the meeting a quorum is not present, the meeting shall stand adjourned to the same day in the next week at the same time and place or to such time and place as the Board may determine. If at such adjourned meeting a quorum is not present within half an hour from the time appointed for holding the meeting, the meeting shall be dissolved.

 

64. The Chairman of the Board shall preside as chairman at every general meeting. If at any meeting the chairman is not present within fifteen (15) minutes after the time appointed for holding the meeting, or is not willing to act as chairman, the Directors present shall choose one of their number to act, or if one Director only is present he shall preside as chairman if willing to act. If no Director is present, or if each of the Directors present declines to take the chair, or if the chairman chosen shall retire from the chair, the Members present in person or by its duly authorised representative or by proxy and entitled to vote shall elect one of their number to be chairman.

 

65. Prior to the holding of a general meeting, the Board may postpone, and at a general meeting, the chairman, may (without consent of the meeting) or shall at the direction of the meeting adjourn the meeting, from time to time and from place to place, but no business shall be transacted at any adjourned or postponed meeting other than the business which might lawfully have been transacted at the meeting had the adjournment or postponement not taken place. When a meeting is adjourned or postponed for fourteen (14) days or more, at least seven (7) clear days’ notice of the adjourned or postponed meeting shall be given specifying the time and place of the adjourned or postponed meeting but it shall not be necessary to specify in such notice the nature of the business to be transacted at the adjourned or postponed meeting and the general nature of the business to be transacted. Save as aforesaid, it shall be unnecessary to give notice of an adjournment or postponement.

 

66. If an amendment is proposed to any resolution under consideration but is in good faith ruled out of order by the chairman of the meeting, the proceedings on the substantive resolution shall not be invalidated by any error in such ruling. In the case of a resolution duly proposed as a special resolution, no amendment thereto (other than a mere clerical amendment to correct a patent error) may in any event be considered or voted upon.

 

VOTING

 

67. (1) Holders of Class A Ordinary Shares and Class B Ordinary Shares have the right to receive notice of, attend, speak and vote at general meetings of the Company. Except as required by applicable law and subject to these Articles, holders of Class A Ordinary Shares and Class B Ordinary Shares shall at all times vote together as one class on all matters submitted to a vote of the Members.

 

(2) Subject to any special rights or restrictions as to voting for the time being attached to any shares by or in accordance with these Articles, at any general meeting on a show of hands:-

 

(a)every Member holding Class A Ordinary Shares present in person (or being a corporation, is present by a duly authorised representative), or by proxy shall have ten (10) votes and on a poll every Member present in person or by proxy or, in the case of a Member being a corporation, by its duly authorised representative shall have ten (10) votes for every fully paid Class A Ordinary Share of which he is the holder; and

 

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(b)every Member holding Class B Ordinary Shares present in person (or being a corporation, is present by a duly authorised representative), or by proxy shall have one (1) vote and on a poll every Member present in person or by proxy or, in the case of a Member being a corporation, by its duly authorised representative shall have one (1) vote for every fully paid Class B Ordinary Share of which he is the holder.

 

(3) No amount paid up or credited as paid up on a share in advance of calls or instalments is treated for the foregoing purposes as paid up on the share.

 

(4) Notwithstanding anything contained in these Articles, where more than one proxy is appointed by a Member which is a clearing house or a central depository house (or its nominee(s)), each such proxy shall have one vote on a show of hands. A resolution put to the vote of a meeting shall be decided on a show of hands unless voting by way of a poll is required by the rules and regulations of the Designated Stock Exchange or (before or on the declaration of the result of the show of hands or on the withdrawal of any other demand for a poll) a poll is demanded:

 

(a)by the chairman of such meeting; or

 

(b)by at least three Members present in person or (in the case of a Member being a corporation) by its duly authorised representative or by proxy for the time being entitled to vote at the meeting; or

 

(c)by a Member or Members present in person or (in the case of a Member being a corporation) by its duly authorised representative or by proxy and representing not less than one tenth of the total voting rights of all Members having the right to vote at the meeting; or

 

(d)by a Member or Members present in person or (in the case of a Member being a corporation) by its duly authorised representative or by proxy and holding shares in the Company conferring a right to vote at the meeting being shares on which an aggregate sum has been paid up equal to not less than one tenth of the total sum paid up on all shares conferring that right.

 

A demand by a person as proxy for a Member or in the case of a Member being a corporation by its duly authorised representative shall be deemed to be the same as a demand by a Member. Votes (whether on a show of hands or by way of poll) may be cast by such means, electronic or otherwise, as the Directors or the chairman of the meeting may determine.

 

68. Unless a poll is duly demanded and the demand is not withdrawn, a declaration by the chairman that a resolution has been carried, or carried unanimously, or by a particular majority, or not carried by a particular majority, or lost, and an entry to that effect made in the minute book of the Company, shall be conclusive evidence of the facts without proof of the number or proportion of the votes recorded for or against the resolution.

 

69. If a poll is duly demanded the result of the poll shall be deemed to be the resolution of the meeting at which the poll was demanded. The Company shall only be required to disclose the voting figures on a poll if such disclosure is required by the rules and regulations of the Designated Stock Exchange.

 

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70. A poll demanded on the election of a chairman, or on a question of adjournment, shall be taken forthwith. A poll demanded on any other question shall be taken in such manner (including the use of ballot or voting papers or tickets) and either forthwith or at such time (being not later than thirty (30) days after the date of the demand) and place as the chairman directs. It shall not be necessary (unless the chairman otherwise directs) for notice to be given of a poll not taken immediately.

 

71. The demand for a poll shall not prevent the continuance of a meeting or the transaction of any business other than the question on which the poll has been demanded, and, with the consent of the chairman, it may be withdrawn at any time before the close of the meeting or the taking of the poll, whichever is the earlier.

 

72. On a poll votes may be given either personally or by proxy.

 

73. A person entitled to more than one vote on a poll need not use all his votes or cast all the votes he uses in the same way.

 

74. All questions submitted to a meeting shall be decided by a simple majority of votes except where a greater majority is required by these Articles, by the Act or the rules and regulations of the Designated Stock Exchange. In the case of an equality of votes, whether on a show of hands or on a poll, the chairman of such meeting shall be entitled to a second or casting vote in addition to any other vote he may have.

 

75. Where there are joint holders of any share any one of such joint holders may vote, either in person or by proxy, in respect of such share as if he were solely entitled thereto, but if more than one of such joint holders be present at any meeting the vote of the senior holder who tenders a vote, whether in person or by proxy, shall be accepted to the exclusion of the votes of the other joint holders, and for this purpose seniority shall be determined by the order in which the names stand in the Register in respect of the joint holding. Several executors or administrators of a deceased Member in whose name any share stands shall for the purposes of this Article be deemed joint holders thereof.

 

76. (1) A Member who is a patient for any purpose relating to mental health or in respect of whom an order has been made by any court having jurisdiction for the protection or management of the affairs of persons incapable of managing their own affairs may vote, whether on a show of hands or on a poll, by his receiver, committee, curator bonis or other person in the nature of a receiver, committee or curator bonis appointed by such court, and such receiver, committee, curator bonis or other person may vote on a poll by proxy, and may otherwise act and be treated as if he were the registered holder of such shares for the purposes of general meetings, provided that such evidence as the Board may require of the authority of the person claiming to vote shall have been deposited at the Office, head office or Registration Office, as appropriate, not less than forty-eight (48) hours before the time appointed for holding the meeting, or adjourned meeting or postponed meeting or poll, as the case may be.

 

(2) Any person entitled under Article 54 to be registered as the holder of any shares may vote at any general meeting in respect thereof in the same manner as if he were the registered holder of such shares, provided that forty-eight (48) hours at least before the time of the holding of the meeting or adjourned meeting or postponed meeting, as the case may be, at which he proposes to vote, he shall satisfy the Board of his entitlement to such shares, or the Board shall have previously admitted his right to vote at such meeting in respect thereof.

 

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77. No Member shall, unless the Board otherwise determines, be entitled to attend and vote and to be reckoned in a quorum at any general meeting unless he is duly registered and all calls or other sums presently payable by him in respect of shares in the Company have been paid.

 

78. If:

 

(a)any objection shall be raised to the qualification of any voter; or

 

(b)any votes have been counted which ought not to have been counted or which might have been rejected; or

 

(c)any votes are not counted which ought to have been counted;

 

the objection or error shall not vitiate the decision of the meeting or adjourned meeting or postponed meeting on any resolution unless the same is raised or pointed out at the meeting or, as the case may be, the adjourned meeting or postponed meeting at which the vote objected to is given or tendered or at which the error occurs. Any objection or error shall be referred to the chairman of the meeting and shall only vitiate the decision of the meeting on any resolution if the chairman decides that the same may have affected the decision of the meeting. The decision of the chairman on such matters shall be final and conclusive.

 

PROXIES

 

79. Any Member entitled to attend and vote at a meeting of the Company shall be entitled to appoint another person as his proxy to attend and vote instead of him. A Member who is the holder of two or more shares may appoint more than one proxy to represent him and vote on his behalf at a general meeting of the Company or at a class meeting. A proxy need not be a Member. In addition, a proxy or proxies representing either a Member who is an individual or a Member which is a corporation shall be entitled to exercise the same powers on behalf of the Member which he or they represent as such Member could exercise.

 

80. The instrument appointing a proxy shall be in writing under the hand of the appointor or of his attorney duly authorised in writing or, if the appointor is a corporation, either under its seal or under the hand of an officer, attorney or other person authorised to sign the same. In the case of an instrument of proxy purporting to be signed on behalf of a corporation by an officer thereof it shall be assumed, unless the contrary appears, that such officer was duly authorised to sign such instrument of proxy on behalf of the corporation without further evidence of the facts.

 

81. Unless otherwise determined by the Board, the instrument appointing a proxy and (if required by the Board) the power of attorney or other authority (if any) under which it is signed, or a certified copy of such power or authority, shall be delivered to such place or one of such places (if any) as may be specified for that purpose in or by way of note to or in any document accompanying the notice convening the meeting (or, if no place is so specified at the Registration Office or the Office, as may be appropriate) not less than forty-eight (48) hours before the time appointed for holding the meeting or adjourned meeting or postponed meeting at which the person named in the instrument proposes to vote or, in the case of a poll taken subsequently to the date of a meeting or adjourned meeting or postponed meeting, not less than twenty-four (24) hours before the time appointed for the taking of the poll and in default the instrument of proxy shall not be treated as valid. No instrument appointing a proxy shall be valid after the expiration of twelve (12) months from the date named in it as the date of its execution, except at an adjourned meeting or postponed meeting or on a poll demanded at a meeting or an adjourned meeting or postponed meeting in cases where the meeting was originally held within twelve (12) months from such date. Delivery of an instrument appointing a proxy shall not preclude a Member from attending and voting in person at the meeting convened and in such event, the instrument appointing a proxy shall be deemed to be revoked.

 

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82. Instruments of proxy shall be in any common form or in such other form as the Board may approve (provided that this shall not preclude the use of the two-way form) and the Board may, if it thinks fit, send out with the notice of any meeting forms of instrument of proxy for use at the meeting. The instrument of proxy shall be deemed to confer authority to demand or join in demanding a poll and to vote on any amendment of a resolution put to the meeting for which it is given as the proxy thinks fit. The instrument of proxy shall, unless the contrary is stated therein, be valid as well for any adjournment or postponement of the meeting as for the meeting to which it relates.

 

83. A vote given in accordance with the terms of an instrument of proxy shall be valid notwithstanding the previous death or insanity of the principal, or revocation of the instrument of proxy or of the authority under which it was executed, provided that no intimation in writing of such death, insanity or revocation shall have been received by the Company at the Office or the Registration Office (or such other place as may be specified for the delivery of instruments of proxy in the notice convening the meeting or other document sent therewith) two (2) hours at least before the commencement of the meeting or adjourned meeting or postponed meeting, or the taking of the poll, at which the instrument of proxy is used.

 

84. Anything which under these Articles a Member may do by proxy he may likewise do by his duly appointed attorney and the provisions of these Articles relating to proxies and instruments appointing proxies shall apply mutatis mutandis in relation to any such attorney and the instrument under which such attorney is appointed.

 

CORPORATIONS ACTING BY REPRESENTATIVES

 

85. (1) Any corporation which is a Member may by resolution of its directors or other governing body authorise such person as it thinks fit to act as its representative at any meeting of the Company or at any meeting of any class of Members. The person so authorised shall be entitled to exercise the same powers on behalf of such corporation as the corporation could exercise if it were an individual Member and such corporation shall for the purposes of these Articles be deemed to be present in person at any such meeting if a person so authorised is present thereat.

 

(2) If a clearing house (or its nominee(s)) or a central depository entity (or its nominee(s)), being a corporation, is a Member, it may authorise such persons as it thinks fit to act as its representatives at any meeting of the Company or at any meeting of any class of Members provided that the authorisation shall specify the number and class of shares in respect of which each such representative is so authorised. Each person so authorised under the provisions of this Article shall be deemed to have been duly authorised without further evidence of the facts and be entitled to exercise the same rights and powers on behalf of the clearing house or a central depository entity (or its nominee(s)) as if such person was the registered holder of the shares of the Company held by the clearing house or a central depository entity (or its nominee(s)) including the right to vote individually on a show of hands.

 

(3) Any reference in these Articles to a duly authorised representative of a Member being a corporation shall mean a representative authorised under the provisions of this Article.

 

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ACTION BY WRITTEN RESOLUTIONS OF MEMBERS

 

86. A resolution in writing signed (in such manner as to indicate, expressly or impliedly, unconditional approval) by or on behalf of all persons for the time being entitled to receive Notice of and to attend and vote at general meetings of the Company shall, for the purposes of these Articles, be treated as a resolution duly passed at a general meeting of the Company and, where relevant, as a special resolution so passed. Any such resolution shall be deemed to have been passed at a meeting held on the date on which it was signed by the last Member to sign, and where the resolution states a date as being the date of his signature thereof by any Member the statement shall be prima facie evidence that it was signed by him on that date. Such a resolution may consist of several documents in the like form, each signed by one or more relevant Members.

 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

87. (1) Unless otherwise determined by the Company in general meeting, the number of Directors shall not be less than two (2). There shall be no maximum number of Directors unless otherwise determined from time to time by the Board. For so long as the shares are listed on the Designated Stock Exchange, the Directors shall include such number of Independent Directors as applicable law, rules or regulations or the Designated Stock Exchange require, unless the Board resolves to follow any available exceptions or exemptions. The Directors shall be elected or appointed in accordance with Article 87 and 88 and shall hold office until the expiration of his term or until their successors are elected or appointed.

 

(2) Subject to the Articles and the Act, the Company may by ordinary resolution elect any person to be a Director either to fill a casual vacancy or as an addition to the existing Board.

 

(3) The Directors shall have the power from time to time and at any time to appoint any person as a Director to fill a casual vacancy on the Board or as an addition to the existing Board subject to the Company’s compliance with director nomination procedures required under the rules and regulations of the Designated Stock Exchange as long as shares are listed on the Designated Stock Exchange, unless the Board resolves to follow any available exceptions or exemptions.

 

(4) No Director shall be required to hold any shares of the Company by way of qualification and a Director who is not a Member shall be entitled to receive notice of and to attend and speak at any general meeting of the Company and of all classes of shares of the Company.

 

(5) Subject to any provision to the contrary in these Articles, a Director may be removed by way of an ordinary resolution of the Members at any time before the expiration of his period of office notwithstanding anything in these Articles or in any agreement between the Company and such Director (but without prejudice to any claim for damages under any such agreement).

 

(6) A vacancy on the Board created by the removal of a Director under the provisions of subparagraph (5) above may be filled by the election or appointment by ordinary resolution of the Members at the meeting at which such Director is removed or by the affirmative vote of a simple majority of the remaining Directors present and voting at a Board meeting.

 

(7) The Company may from time to time in general meeting by ordinary resolution increase or reduce the number of Directors but so that the number of Directors shall never be less than two (2).

 

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DISQUALIFICATION OF DIRECTORS

 

88. The office of a Director shall be vacated if the Director:

 

(1) resigns his office by notice in writing delivered to the Company at the Office or tendered at a meeting of the Board;

 

(2) becomes of unsound mind or dies;

 

(3) without special leave of absence from the Board, is absent from meetings of the Board for three consecutive meetings and the Board resolves that his office be vacated;

 

(4) becomes bankrupt or has a receiving order made against him or suspends payment or compounds with his creditors;

 

(5) is prohibited by law from being a Director; or

 

(6) ceases to be a Director by virtue of any provision of the Statutes or is removed from office pursuant to these Articles.

 

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

 

89. The Board may from time to time appoint any one or more of its body to be a managing director, joint managing director or deputy managing director or to hold any other employment or executive office with the Company for such period (subject to their continuance as Directors) and upon such terms as the Board may determine and the Board may revoke or terminate any of such appointments. Any such revocation or termination as aforesaid shall be without prejudice to any claim for damages that such Director may have against the Company or the Company may have against such Director. A Director appointed to an office under this Article 89 shall be subject to the same provisions as to removal as the other Directors of the Company, and he shall (subject to the provisions of any contract between him and the Company) ipso facto and immediately cease to hold such office if he shall cease to hold the office of Director for any cause.

 

90. Notwithstanding Articles 95, 96, 97 and 98, an executive director appointed to an office under Article 89 hereof shall receive such remuneration (whether by way of salary, commission, participation in profits or otherwise or by all or any of those modes) and such other benefits (including pension and/or gratuity and/or other benefits on retirement) and allowances as the Board may from time to time determine, and either in addition to or in lieu of his remuneration as a Director.

 

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ALTERNATE DIRECTORS

 

91. Any Director may at any time by Notice delivered to the Office or head office or at a meeting of the Directors appoint any person (including another Director) to be his alternate Director. Any person so appointed shall have all the rights and powers of the Director or Directors for whom such person is appointed in the alternative provided that such person shall not be counted more than once in determining whether or not a quorum is present. An alternate Director may be removed at any time by the body which appointed him and, subject thereto, the office of alternate Director shall continue until the happening of any event which, if he were a Director, would cause him to vacate such office or if his appointer ceases for any reason to be a Director. Any appointment or removal of an alternate Director shall be effected by Notice signed by the appointor and delivered to the Office or head office or tendered at a meeting of the Board. An alternate Director may also be a Director in his own right and may act as alternate to more than one Director. An alternate Director shall, if his appointor so requests, be entitled to receive notices of meetings of the Board or of committees of the Board to the same extent as, but in lieu of, the Director appointing him and shall be entitled to such extent to attend and vote as a Director at any such meeting at which the Director appointing him is not personally present and generally at such meeting to exercise and discharge all the functions, powers and duties of his appointor as a Director and for the purposes of the proceedings at such meeting the provisions of these Articles shall apply as if he were a Director save that as an alternate for more than one Director his voting rights shall be cumulative.

 

92. An alternate Director shall only be a Director for the purposes of the Act and shall only be subject to the provisions of the Act insofar as they relate to the duties and obligations of a Director when performing the functions of the Director for whom he is appointed in the alternative and shall alone be responsible to the Company for his acts and defaults and shall not be deemed to be the agent of or for the Director appointing him. An alternate Director shall be entitled to contract and be interested in and benefit from contracts or arrangements or transactions and to be repaid expenses and to be indemnified by the Company to the same extent mutatis mutandis as if he were a Director but he shall not be entitled to receive from the Company any fee in his capacity as an alternate Director except only such part, if any, of the remuneration otherwise payable to his appointor as such appointor may by Notice to the Company from time to time direct.

 

93. Every person acting as an alternate Director shall have one vote for each Director for whom he acts as alternate (in addition to his own vote if he is also a Director). If his appointor is for the time being absent from the People’s Republic of China or otherwise not available or unable to act, the signature of an alternate Director to any resolution in writing of the Board or a committee of the Board of which his appointor is a member shall, unless the notice of his appointment provides to the contrary, be as effective as the signature of his appointor.

 

94. An alternate Director shall ipso facto cease to be an alternate Director if his appointor ceases for any reason to be a Director, however, such alternate Director or any other person may be re-appointed by the Directors to serve as an alternate Director.

 

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DIRECTORS’ FEES AND EXPENSES

 

95. The Directors shall receive such remuneration as the Board or a committee of the Board may from time to time determine. Each Director shall be entitled to be repaid or prepaid all traveling, hotel and incidental expenses reasonably incurred or expected to be incurred by him in attending meetings of the Board or committees of the board or general meetings or separate meetings of any class of shares or of debenture of the Company or otherwise in connection with the discharge of his duties as a Director.

 

96. Each Director shall be entitled to be repaid or prepaid all travelling, hotel and incidental expenses reasonably incurred or expected to be incurred by him in attending meetings of the Board or committees of the Board or general meetings or separate meetings of any class of shares or of debentures of the Company or otherwise in connection with the discharge of his duties as a Director.

 

97. Any Director who, by request, goes or resides abroad for any purpose of the Company or who performs services which in the opinion of the Board go beyond the ordinary duties of a Director may be paid such extra remuneration (whether by way of salary, commission, participation in profits or otherwise) as the Board may determine and such extra remuneration shall be in addition to or in substitution for any ordinary remuneration provided for by or pursuant to any other Article.

 

98. The Board or a committee of the Board shall determine any payment to any Director or past Director of the Company by way of compensation for loss of office, or as consideration for or in connection with his retirement from office (not being payment to which the Director is contractually entitled).

 

DIRECTORS’ INTERESTS

 

99. A Director may:

 

(a)hold any other office or place of profit with the Company (except that of Auditor) in conjunction with his office of Director for such period and upon such terms as the Board may determine. Any remuneration (whether by way of salary, commission, participation in profits or otherwise) paid to any Director in respect of any such other office or place of profit shall be in addition to any remuneration provided for by or pursuant to any other Article;

 

(b)act by himself or his firm in a professional capacity for the Company (otherwise than as Auditor) and he or his firm may be remunerated for professional services as if he were not a Director;

 

(c)continue to be or become a director, managing director, joint managing director, deputy managing director, executive director, manager or other officer or member of any other company promoted by the Company or in which the Company may be interested as a vendor, shareholder or otherwise and (unless otherwise agreed) no such Director shall be accountable for any remuneration, profits or other benefits received by him as a director, managing director, joint managing director, deputy managing director, executive director, manager or other officer or member of or from his interests in any such other company. Subject as otherwise provided by these Articles the Directors may exercise or cause to be exercised the voting powers conferred by the shares in any other company held or owned by the Company, or exercisable by them as Directors of such other company in such manner in all respects as they think fit (including the exercise thereof in favour of any resolution appointing themselves or any of them as directors, managing directors, joint managing directors, deputy managing directors, executive directors, managers or other officers of such company) or voting or providing for the payment of remuneration to the director, managing director, joint managing director, deputy managing director, executive director, manager or other officers of such other company and any Director may vote in favour of the exercise of such voting rights in manner aforesaid notwithstanding that he may be, or about to be, appointed a director, managing director, joint managing director, deputy managing director, executive director, manager or other officer of such a company, and that as such he is or may become interested in the exercise of such voting rights in manner aforesaid.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Independent Director shall without the consent of the Audit Committee take any of the foregoing actions or any other action that would reasonably be likely to affect such Director’s status as an Independent Director.

 

100. Subject to the Act and to these Articles, no Director or proposed or intending Director shall be disqualified by his office from contracting with the Company, either with regard to his tenure of any office or place of profit or as vendor, purchaser or in any other manner whatsoever, nor shall any such contract or any other contract or arrangement in which any Director is in any way interested be liable to be avoided, nor shall any Director so contracting or being so interested be liable to account to the Company or the Members for any remuneration, profit or other benefits realised by any such contract or arrangement by reason of such Director holding that office or of the fiduciary relationship thereby established provided that such Director shall disclose the nature of his interest in any contract or arrangement in which he is interested in accordance with Article 101 herein. Any such transaction that would reasonably be likely to affect a Director’s status as an Independent Director, or that would constitute a “related party transaction” as defined by the rules and regulations of the Designated Stock Exchange or under applicable laws, shall require the approval of the Audit Committee.

 

101. A Director who to his knowledge is in any way, whether directly or indirectly, interested in a contract or arrangement or proposed contract or arrangement with the Company shall declare the nature of his interest at the meeting of the Board at which the question of entering into the contract or arrangement is first considered, if he knows his interest then exists, or in any other case at the first meeting of the Board after he knows that he is or has become so interested. For the purposes of this Article, a general Notice to the Board by a Director to the effect that:

 

(a)he is a member or officer of a specified company or firm and is to be regarded as interested in any contract or arrangement which may after the date of the Notice be made with that company or firm; or

 

(b)he is to be regarded as interested in any contract or arrangement which may after the date of the Notice be made with a specified person who is connected with him;

 

shall be deemed to be a sufficient declaration of interest under this Article in relation to any such contract or arrangement, provided that no such Notice shall be effective unless either it is given at a meeting of the Board or the Director takes reasonable steps to secure that it is brought up and read at the next Board meeting after it is given.

 

102. Following a declaration being made pursuant to the last preceding two Articles, subject to any separate requirement for Audit Committee approval under applicable law or the rules and regulations of the Designated Stock Exchange, and unless disqualified by the chairman of the relevant Board meeting, a Director may vote in respect of any contract or proposed contract or arrangement in which such Director is interested and may be counted in the quorum at such meeting.

 

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GENERAL POWERS OF THE DIRECTORS

 

103. (1) The business of the Company shall be managed and conducted by the Board, which may pay all expenses incurred in forming and registering the Company and may exercise all powers of the Company (whether relating to the management of the business of the Company or otherwise) which are not by the Statutes or by these Articles required to be exercised by the Company in general meeting, subject nevertheless to the provisions of the Statutes and of these Articles and to such regulations being not inconsistent with such provisions, as may be prescribed by the Company in general meeting, but no regulations made by the Company in general meeting shall invalidate any prior act of the Board which would have been valid if such regulations had not been made. The general powers given by this Article shall not be limited or restricted by any special authority or power given to the Board by any other Article.

 

(2) Any person contracting or dealing with the Company in the ordinary course of business shall be entitled to rely on any written or oral contract or agreement or deed, document or instrument entered into or executed as the case may be by any one Director on behalf of the Company and the same shall be deemed to be validly entered into or executed by the Company as the case may be and shall, subject to any rule of law, be binding on the Company.

 

(3) Without prejudice to the general powers conferred by these Articles it is hereby expressly declared that the Board shall have the following powers:

 

(a)to give to any person the right or option of requiring at a future date that an allotment shall be made to him of any share at par or at such premium as may be agreed;

 

(b)to give to any Directors, officers or employees of the Company an interest in any particular business or transaction or participation in the profits thereof or in the general profits of the Company either in addition to or in substitution for a salary or other remuneration; and

 

(c)to resolve that the Company be deregistered in the Cayman Islands and continued in a named jurisdiction outside the Cayman Islands subject to the provisions of the Act.

 

104. The Board may establish any regional or local boards or agencies for managing any of the affairs of the Company in any place, and may appoint any persons to be members of such local boards, or any managers or agents, and may fix their remuneration (either by way of salary or by commission or by conferring the right to participation in the profits of the Company or by a combination of two or more of these modes) and pay the working expenses of any staff employed by them upon the business of the Company. The Board may delegate to any regional or local board, manager or agent any of the powers, authorities and discretions vested in or exercisable by the Board (other than its powers to make calls and forfeit shares), with power to sub-delegate, and may authorise the members of any of them to fill any vacancies therein and to act notwithstanding vacancies. Any such appointment or delegation may be made upon such terms and subject to such conditions as the Board may think fit, and the Board may remove any person appointed as aforesaid, and may revoke or vary such delegation, but no person dealing in good faith and without notice of any such revocation or variation shall be affected thereby.

 

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105. The Board may by power of attorney appoint any company, firm or person or any fluctuating body of persons, whether nominated directly or indirectly by the Board, to be the attorney or attorneys of the Company for such purposes and with such powers, authorities and discretions (not exceeding those vested in or exercisable by the Board under these Articles) and for such period and subject to such conditions as it may think fit, and any such power of attorney may contain such provisions for the protection and convenience of persons dealing with any such attorney as the Board may think fit, and may also authorise any such attorney to sub-delegate all or any of the powers, authorities and discretions vested in him. Such attorney or attorneys may, if so authorised under the Seal of the Company, execute any deed or instrument under their personal seal with the same effect as the affixation of the Company’s Seal.

 

106. The Board may entrust to and confer upon a managing director, joint managing director, deputy managing director, an executive director or any Director any of the powers exercisable by it upon such terms and conditions and with such restrictions as it thinks fit, and either collaterally with, or to the exclusion of, its own powers, and may from time to time revoke or vary all or any of such powers but no person dealing in good faith and without notice of such revocation or variation shall be affected thereby.

 

107. All cheques, promissory notes, drafts, bills of exchange and other instruments, whether negotiable or transferable or not, and all receipts for moneys paid to the Company shall be signed, drawn, accepted, endorsed or otherwise executed, as the case may be, in such manner as the Board shall from time to time by resolution determine. The Company’s banking accounts shall be kept with such banker or bankers as the Board shall from time to time determine.

 

108. (1) The Board may establish or concur or join with other companies (being subsidiary companies of the Company or companies with which it is associated in business) in establishing and making contributions out of the Company’s moneys to any schemes or funds for providing pensions, sickness or compassionate allowances, life assurance or other benefits for employees (which expression as used in this and the following paragraph shall include any Director or ex-Director who may hold or have held any executive office or any office of profit under the Company or any of its subsidiary companies) and ex-employees of the Company and their dependants or any class or classes of such person.

 

(2) The Board may pay, enter into agreements to pay or make grants of revocable or irrevocable pensions or other benefits to employees and ex-employees and their dependants, or to any of such persons, including pensions or benefits additional to those, if any, to which such employees or ex-employees or their dependants are or may become entitled under any such scheme or fund as mentioned in the last preceding paragraph. Any such pension or benefit may, as the Board considers desirable, be granted to an employee either before and in anticipation of or upon or at any time after his actual retirement, and may be subject or not subject to any terms or conditions as the Board may determine.

 

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BORROWING POWERS

 

109. The Board may exercise all the powers of the Company to raise or borrow money and to mortgage or charge all or any part of the undertaking, property and assets (present and future) and uncalled capital of the Company and, subject to the Act, to issue debentures, bonds and other securities, whether outright or as collateral security for any debt, liability or obligation of the Company or of any third party.

 

110. Debentures, bonds and other securities may be made assignable free from any equities between the Company and the person to whom the same may be issued.

 

111. Any debentures, bonds or other securities may be issued at a discount (other than shares), premium or otherwise and with any special privileges as to redemption, surrender, drawings, allotment of shares, attending and voting at general meetings of the Company, appointment of Directors and otherwise.

 

112. (1) Where any uncalled capital of the Company is charged, all persons taking any subsequent charge thereon shall take the same subject to such prior charge, and shall not be entitled, by notice to the Members or otherwise, to obtain priority over such prior charge.

 

(2) The Board shall cause a proper register to be kept, in accordance with the provisions of the Act, of all charges specifically affecting the property of the Company and of any series of debentures issued by the Company and shall duly comply with the requirements of the Act in regard to the registration of charges and debentures therein specified and otherwise.

 

PROCEEDINGS OF THE DIRECTORS

 

113. The Board may meet for the despatch of business, adjourn and otherwise regulate its meetings as it considers appropriate. Questions arising at any meeting shall be determined by a majority of votes. In the case of any equality of votes the chairman of the meeting shall have an additional or casting vote.

 

114. A meeting of the Board may be convened by the Secretary on request of a Director or by any Director. The Secretary shall convene a meeting of the Board of which notice may be given in writing or by telephone or in such other manner as the Board may from time to time determine whenever he shall be required so to do by the president or chairman, as the case may be, or any Director.

 

115. (1) The quorum necessary for the transaction of the business of the Board may be fixed by the Board and, unless so fixed at any other number, shall be a majority of the Directors then in office. An alternate Director shall be counted in a quorum in the case of the absence of a Director for whom he is the alternate provided that he shall not be counted more than once for the purpose of determining whether or not a quorum is present.

 

(2) Directors may participate in any meeting of the Board by means of a conference telephone or other communications equipment through which all persons participating in the meeting can communicate with each other simultaneously and instantaneously and, for the purpose of counting a quorum, such participation shall constitute presence at a meeting as if those participating were present in person.

 

(3) Any Director who ceases to be a Director at a Board meeting may continue to be present and to act as a Director and be counted in the quorum until the termination of such Board meeting if no other Director objects and if otherwise a quorum of Directors would not be present.

 

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116. The continuing Directors or a sole continuing Director may act notwithstanding any vacancy in the Board but, if and so long as the number of Directors is reduced below the minimum number fixed by or in accordance with these Articles as the quorum, the continuing Directors or Director, notwithstanding that the number of Directors is below the number fixed by or in accordance with these Articles as the quorum or that there is only one continuing Director, may act for the purpose of filling vacancies in the Board or of summoning general meetings of the Company but not for any other purpose.

 

117. The Chairman of the Board shall be the chairman of all meetings of the Board. If the Chairman of the Board is not present at any meeting within five (5) minutes after the time appointed for holding the same, the Directors present may choose one of their number to be chairman of the meeting.

 

118. A meeting of the Board at which a quorum is present shall be competent to exercise all the powers, authorities and discretions for the time being vested in or exercisable by the Board.

 

119. (1) The Board may delegate any of its powers, authorities and discretions to committees (including, without limitation, the Audit Committee), consisting of such Director or Directors and other persons as it thinks fit, and they may, from time to time, revoke such delegation or revoke the appointment of and discharge any such committees either wholly or in part, and either as to persons or purposes. Any committee so formed shall, in the exercise of the powers, authorities and discretions so delegated, conform to any regulations which may be imposed on it by the Board.

 

(2) All acts done by any such committee in conformity with such regulations, and in fulfilment of the purposes for which it was appointed, but not otherwise, shall have like force and effect as if done by the Board, and the Board (or if the Board delegates such power, the committee) shall have power to remunerate the members of any such committee, and charge such remuneration to the current expenses of the Company.

 

120. The meetings and proceedings of any committee consisting of two or more members shall be governed by the provisions contained in these Articles for regulating the meetings and proceedings of the Board so far as the same are applicable and are not superseded by any regulations imposed by the Board under the last preceding Article, indicating, without limitation, any committee charter adopted by the Board for purposes or in respect of any such committee.

 

121. A resolution in writing signed by all the Directors except such as are temporarily unable to act through ill-health or disability shall (provided that such number is sufficient to constitute a quorum and further provided that a copy of such resolution has been given or the contents thereof communicated to all the Directors for the time being entitled to receive notices of Board meetings in the same manner as notices of meetings are required to be given by these Articles) be as valid and effectual as if a resolution had been passed at a meeting of the Board duly convened and held. A notification of consent to such resolution given by a Director in writing to the Board by any means (including by means of electronic communication) shall be deemed to be his/her signature to such resolution in writing for the purpose of this Article. Such resolution may be contained in one document or in several documents in like form each signed by one or more of the Directors and for this purpose a facsimile signature of a Director shall be treated as valid.

 

122. All acts bona fide done by the Board or by any committee or by any person acting as a Director or members of a committee, shall, notwithstanding that it is afterwards discovered that there was some defect in the appointment of any member of the Board or such committee or person acting as aforesaid or that they or any of them were disqualified or had vacated office, be as valid as if every such person had been duly appointed and was qualified and had continued to be a Director or member of such committee.

 

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AUDIT COMMITTEE

 

123. Without prejudice to the freedom of the Directors to establish any other committees, for so long as the shares of the Company (or depositary receipts therefor) are listed or quoted on the Designated Stock Exchange, the Board shall establish and maintain an Audit Committee as a committee of the Board, the composition and responsibilities of which shall comply with the rules and regulations of the Designated Stock Exchange and the rules and regulations of the SEC.

 

124. The Board shall adopt a formal written audit committee charter and review and assess the adequacy of the formal written charter on an annual basis.

 

125. For so long as the shares of the Company (or depositary receipts therefor) are listed or quoted on the Designated Stock Exchange, the Company shall conduct an appropriate review of all related party transactions on an ongoing basis and shall utilize the Audit Committee for the review and approval of potential conflicts of interest in accordance with the audit committee charter.

 

OFFICERS

 

126. (1) The officers of the Company shall consist of the Chairman of the Board, the Directors and Secretary and such additional officers (who may or may not be Directors) as the Board may from time to time determine, all of whom shall be deemed to be officers for the purposes of the Act and these Articles. In addition to the officers of the Company, the Board may also from time to time determine and appoint managers and delegate to the same such powers and duties as are prescribed by the Board.

 

(2) The Directors shall, as soon as may be after each appointment or election of Directors, elect amongst the Directors a chairman and if more than one Director is proposed for this office, the election to such office shall take place in such manner as the Directors may determine.

 

(3) The officers shall receive such remuneration as the Directors may from time to time determine.

 

127. (1) The Secretary and additional officers, if any, shall be appointed by the Board and shall hold office on such terms and for such period as the Board may determine. If thought fit, two or more persons may be appointed as joint Secretaries. The Board may also appoint from time to time on such terms as it thinks fit one or more assistant or deputy Secretaries.

 

(2) The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the Members and shall keep correct minutes of such meetings and enter the same in the proper books provided for the purpose. He shall perform such other duties as are prescribed by the Act or these Articles or as may be prescribed by the Board.

 

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128. The officers of the Company shall have such powers and perform such duties in the management, business and affairs of the Company as may be delegated to them by the Directors from time to time.

 

129. A provision of the Act or of these Articles requiring or authorising a thing to be done by or to a Director and the Secretary shall not be satisfied by its being done by or to the same person acting both as Director and as or in place of the Secretary.

 

REGISTER OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

 

130. The Company shall cause to be kept in one or more books at its Office a Register of Directors and Officers in which there shall be entered the full names and addresses of the Directors and Officers and such other particulars as required by the Act or as the Directors may determine. The Company shall send to the Registrar of Companies in the Cayman Islands a copy of such register, and shall from time to time notify to the said Registrar of any change that takes place in relation to such Directors and Officers as required by the Act.

 

MINUTES

 

131. (1) The Board shall cause minutes to be duly entered in books provided for the purpose:

 

(a)of all elections and appointments of officers;

 

(b)of the names of the Directors present at each meeting of the Directors and of any committee of the Directors;

 

(c)of all resolutions and proceedings of each general meeting of the Members, meetings of the Board and meetings of committees of the Board and where there are managers, of all proceedings of meetings of the managers.

 

(2)Minutes shall be kept by the Secretary at the Office.

 

SEAL

 

132. (1) The Company shall have one or more Seals, as the Board may determine. For the purpose of sealing documents creating or evidencing securities issued by the Company, the Company may have a securities seal which is a facsimile of the Seal of the Company with the addition of the word “Securities” on its face or in such other form as the Board may approve. The Board shall provide for the custody of each Seal and no Seal shall be used without the authority of the Board or of a committee of the Board authorised by the Board in that behalf. Subject as otherwise provided in these Articles, any instrument to which a Seal is affixed shall be signed autographically by one Director or by such other person (including a Director) or persons as the Board may appoint, either generally or in any particular case, save that as regards any certificates for shares or debentures or other securities of the Company the Board may by resolution determine that such signatures or either of them shall be dispensed with or affixed by some method or system of mechanical signature. Every instrument executed in manner provided by this Article 132 shall be deemed to be sealed and executed with the authority of the Board previously given.

 

(2) Where the Company has a Seal for use abroad, the Board may by writing under the Seal appoint any agent or committee abroad to be the duly authorised agent of the Company for the purpose of affixing and using such Seal and the Board may impose restrictions on the use thereof as may be thought fit. Wherever in these Articles reference is made to the Seal, the reference shall, when and so far as may be applicable, be deemed to include any such other Seal as aforesaid.

 

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AUTHENTICATION OF DOCUMENTS

 

133. Any Director or the Secretary or any person appointed by the Board for the purpose may authenticate any documents affecting the constitution of the Company and any resolution passed by the Company or the Board or any committee, and any books, records, documents and accounts relating to the business of the Company, and to certify copies thereof or extracts therefrom as true copies or extracts, and if any books, records, documents or accounts are elsewhere than at the Office or the head office the local manager or other officer of the Company having the custody thereof shall be deemed to be a person so appointed by the Board. A document purporting to be a copy of a resolution, or an extract from the minutes of a meeting, of the Company or of the Board or any committee which is so certified shall be conclusive evidence in favour of all persons dealing with the Company upon the faith thereof that such resolution has been duly passed or, as the case may be, that such minutes or extract is a true and accurate record of proceedings at a duly constituted meeting.

 

DESTRUCTION OF DOCUMENTS

 

134. (1) The Company shall be entitled to destroy the following documents at the following times:

 

(a)any share certificate which has been cancelled at any time after the expiry of one (1) year from the date of such cancellation;

 

(b)any dividend mandate or any variation or cancellation thereof or any notification of change of name or address at any time after the expiry of two (2) years from the date such mandate variation cancellation or notification was recorded by the Company;

 

(c)any instrument of transfer of shares which has been registered at any time after the expiry of seven (7) years from the date of registration;

 

(d)any allotment letters after the expiry of seven (7) years from the date of issue thereof; and

 

(e)copies of powers of attorney, grants of probate and letters of administration at any time after the expiry of seven (7) years after the account to which the relevant power of attorney, grant of probate or letters of administration related has been closed;

 

and it shall conclusively be presumed in favour of the Company that every entry in the Register purporting to be made on the basis of any such documents so destroyed was duly and properly made and every share certificate so destroyed was a valid certificate duly and properly cancelled and that every instrument of transfer so destroyed was a valid and effective instrument duly and properly registered and that every other document destroyed hereunder was a valid and effective document in accordance with the recorded particulars thereof in the books or records of the Company. Provided always that: (1) the foregoing provisions of this Article 134 shall apply only to the destruction of a document in good faith and without express notice to the Company that the preservation of such document was relevant to a claim; (2) nothing contained in this Article 134 shall be construed as imposing upon the Company any liability in respect of the destruction of any such document earlier than as aforesaid or in any case where the conditions of proviso (1) above are not fulfilled; and (3) references in this Article 134 to the destruction of any document include references to its disposal in any manner.

 

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(2) Notwithstanding any provision contained in these Articles, the Directors may, if permitted by applicable law, authorise the destruction of documents set out in sub-paragraphs (a) to (e) of paragraph (1) of this Article 134 and any other documents in relation to share registration which have been microfilmed or electronically stored by the Company or by the share registrar on its behalf provided always that this Article shall apply only to the destruction of a document in good faith and without express notice to the Company and its share registrar that the preservation of such document was relevant to a claim.

 

DIVIDENDS AND OTHER PAYMENTS

 

135. Subject to the Act and any rights and restrictions for the time being attached to any class or classes of shares and these Articles, the Board may from time to time declare dividends in any currency to be paid to the Members. At any and every time the Board declares dividends, Class A Ordinary Shares and Class B Ordinary Shares shall have identical rights in the dividends so declared.

 

136. Dividends may be declared and paid out of the profits of the Company, realised or unrealised, or from any reserve set aside from profits which the Directors determine is no longer needed. The Board may also declare and pay dividends out of share premium account or any other fund or account which can be authorised for this purpose in accordance with the Act.

 

137. Except in so far as the rights attaching to, or the terms of issue of, any share otherwise provide:

 

(a)all dividends shall be declared and paid according to the amounts paid up on the shares in respect of which the dividend is paid, but no amount paid up on a share in advance of calls shall be treated for the purposes of this Article as paid up on the share; and

 

(b)all dividends shall be apportioned and paid pro rata according to the amounts paid up on the shares during any portion or portions of the period in respect of which the dividend is paid.

 

138. The Board may from time to time pay to the Members such interim dividends as appear to the Board to be justified by the profits of the Company and in particular (but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing) if at any time the share capital of the Company is divided into different classes, the Board may pay such interim dividends in respect of those shares in the capital of the Company which confer on the holders thereof deferred or non-preferential rights as well as in respect of those shares which confer on the holders thereof preferential rights with regard to dividend and provided that the Board acts bona fide the Board shall not incur any responsibility to the holders of shares conferring any preference for any damage that they may suffer by reason of the payment of an interim dividend on any shares having deferred or non-preferential rights and may also pay any fixed dividend which is payable on any shares of the Company half-yearly or on any other dates, whenever such profits, in the opinion of the Board, justifies such payment.

 

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139. The Board may deduct from any dividend or other moneys payable to a Member by the Company on or in respect of any shares all sums of money (if any) presently payable by him to the Company on account of calls or otherwise.

 

140. No dividend or other moneys payable by the Company on or in respect of any share shall bear interest against the Company.

 

141. Any dividend, interest or other sum payable in cash to the holder of shares may be paid by cheque or warrant sent through the post addressed to the holder at his registered address or, in the case of joint holders, addressed to the holder whose name stands first in the Register in respect of the shares at his address as appearing in the Register or addressed to such person and at such address as the holder or joint holders may in writing direct. Every such cheque or warrant shall, unless the holder or joint holders otherwise direct, be made payable to the order of the holder or, in the case of joint holders, to the order of the holder whose name stands first on the Register in respect of such shares, and shall be sent at his or their risk and payment of the cheque or warrant by the bank on which it is drawn shall constitute a good discharge to the Company notwithstanding that it may subsequently appear that the same has been stolen or that any endorsement thereon has been forged. Any one of two or more joint holders may give effectual receipts for any dividends or other moneys payable or property distributable in respect of the shares held by such joint holders.

 

142. All dividends or bonuses unclaimed for one (1) year after having been declared may be invested or otherwise made use of by the Board for the benefit of the Company until claimed. Any dividend or bonuses unclaimed after a period of six (6) years from the date of declaration shall be forfeited and shall revert to the Company. The payment by the Board of any unclaimed dividend or other sums payable on or in respect of a share into a separate account shall not constitute the Company a trustee in respect thereof.

 

143. Whenever the Board has resolved that a dividend be paid or declared, the Board may further resolve that such dividend be satisfied wholly or in part by the distribution of specific assets of any kind and in particular of paid up shares, debentures or warrants to subscribe securities of the Company or any other company, or in any one or more of such ways, and where any difficulty arises in regard to the distribution the Board may settle the same as it thinks expedient, and in particular may issue certificates in respect of fractions of shares, disregard fractional entitlements or round the same up or down, and may fix the value for distribution of such specific assets, or any part thereof, and may determine that cash payments shall be made to any Members upon the basis of the value so fixed in order to adjust the rights of all parties, and may vest any such specific assets in trustees as may seem expedient to the Board and may appoint any person to sign any requisite instruments of transfer and other documents on behalf of the persons entitled to the dividend, and such appointment shall be effective and binding on the Members. The Board may resolve that no such assets shall be made available to Members with registered addresses in any particular territory or territories where, in the absence of a registration statement or other special formalities, such distribution of assets would or might, in the opinion of the Board, be unlawful or impracticable and in such event the only entitlement of the Members aforesaid shall be to receive cash payments as aforesaid. Members affected as a result of the foregoing sentence shall not be or be deemed to be a separate class of Members for any purpose whatsoever.

 

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144. (1) Whenever the Board has resolved that a dividend be paid or declared on any class of the share capital of the Company, the Board may further resolve either:

 

(a)that such dividend be satisfied wholly or in part in the form of an allotment of shares credited as fully paid up, provided that the Members entitled thereto will be entitled to elect to receive such dividend (or part thereof if the Board so determines) in cash in lieu of such allotment. In such case, the following provisions shall apply:

 

(i)the basis of any such allotment shall be determined by the Board;

 

(ii)the Board, after determining the basis of allotment, shall give not less than ten (10) days’ Notice to the holders of the relevant shares of the right of election accorded to them and shall send with such notice forms of election and specify the procedure to be followed and the place at which and the latest date and time by which duly completed forms of election must be lodged in order to be effective;

 

(iii)the right of election may be exercised in respect of the whole or part of that portion of the dividend in respect of which the right of election has been accorded; and

 

(iv)the dividend (or that part of the dividend to be satisfied by the allotment of shares as aforesaid) shall not be payable in cash on shares in respect whereof the cash election has not been duly exercised (“the non-elected shares”) and in satisfaction thereof shares of the relevant class shall be allotted credited as fully paid up to the holders of the non-elected shares on the basis of allotment determined as aforesaid and for such purpose the Board shall capitalise and apply out of any part of the undivided profits of the Company (including profits carried and standing to the credit of any reserves or other special account, share premium account, capital redemption reserve other than the Subscription Rights Reserve) as the Board may determine, such sum as may be required to pay up in full the appropriate number of shares of the relevant class for allotment and distribution to and amongst the holders of the non-elected shares on such basis; or

 

(b)that the Members entitled to such dividend shall be entitled to elect to receive an allotment of shares credited as fully paid up in lieu of the whole or such part of the dividend as the Board may think fit. In such case, the following provisions shall apply:

 

(i)the basis of any such allotment shall be determined by the Board;

 

(ii)the Board, after determining the basis of allotment, shall give not less than ten (10) days’ Notice to the holders of the relevant shares of the right of election accorded to them and shall send with such notice forms of election and specify the procedure to be followed and the place at which and the latest date and time by which duly completed forms of election must be lodged in order to be effective;

 

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(iii)the right of election may be exercised in respect of the whole or part of that portion of the dividend in respect of which the right of election has been accorded; and

 

(iv)the dividend (or that part of the dividend in respect of which a right of election has been accorded) shall not be payable in cash on shares in respect whereof the share election has been duly exercised (“the elected shares”) and in lieu thereof shares of the relevant class shall be allotted credited as fully paid up to the holders of the elected shares on the basis of allotment determined as aforesaid and for such purpose the Board shall capitalise and apply out of any part of the undivided profits of the Company (including profits carried and standing to the credit of any reserves or other special account, share premium account, capital redemption reserve other than the Subscription Rights Reserve) as the Board may determine, such sum as may be required to pay up in full the appropriate number of shares of the relevant class for allotment and distribution to and amongst the holders of the elected shares on such basis.

 

(2) (a) The shares allotted pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) of this Article 144 shall rank pari passu in all respects with shares of the same class (if any) then in issue save only as regards participation in the relevant dividend or in any other distributions, bonuses or rights paid, made, declared or announced prior to or contemporaneously with the payment or declaration of the relevant dividend unless, contemporaneously with the announcement by the Board of their proposal to apply the provisions of sub-paragraph (a) or (b) of paragraph (2) of this Article 144 in relation to the relevant dividend or contemporaneously with their announcement of the distribution, bonus or rights in question, the Board shall specify that the shares to be allotted pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) of this Article shall rank for participation in such distribution, bonus or rights.

 

(b)The Board may do all acts and things considered necessary or expedient to give effect to any capitalisation pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) of this Article 144, with full power to the Board to make such provisions as it thinks fit in the case of shares becoming distributable in fractions (including provisions whereby, in whole or in part, fractional entitlements are aggregated and sold and the net proceeds distributed to those entitled, or are disregarded or rounded up or down or whereby the benefit of fractional entitlements accrues to the Company rather than to the Members concerned). The Board may authorise any person to enter into on behalf of all Members interested, an agreement with the Company providing for such capitalisation and matters incidental thereto and any agreement made pursuant to such authority shall be effective and binding on all concerned.

 

(3) The Board may determine and resolve in respect of any one particular dividend of the Company that notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (1) of this Article 144 a dividend may be satisfied wholly in the form of an allotment of shares credited as fully paid up without offering any right to shareholders to elect to receive such dividend in cash in lieu of such allotment.

 

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(4) The Board may on any occasion determine that rights of election and the allotment of shares under paragraph (1) of this Article 144 shall not be made available or made to any shareholders with registered addresses in any territory where, in the absence of a registration statement or other special formalities, the circulation of an offer of such rights of election or the allotment of shares would or might, in the opinion of the Board, be unlawful or impracticable, and in such event the provisions aforesaid shall be read and construed subject to such determination. Members affected as a result of the foregoing sentence shall not be or be deemed to be a separate class of Members for any purpose whatsoever.

 

(5) Any resolution declaring a dividend on shares of any class by the Board, may specify that the same shall be payable or distributable to the persons registered as the holders of such shares at the close of business on a particular date, notwithstanding that it may be a date prior to that on which the resolution is passed, and thereupon the dividend shall be payable or distributable to them in accordance with their respective holdings so registered, but without prejudice to the rights inter se in respect of such dividend of transferors and transferees of any such shares. The provisions of this Article shall mutatis mutandis apply to bonuses, capitalisation issues, distributions of realised capital profits or offers or grants made by the Company to the Members.

 

RESERVES

 

145. (1) The Board shall establish an account to be called the share premium account and shall carry to the credit of such account from time to time a sum equal to the amount or value of the premium paid on the issue of any share in the Company. Unless otherwise provided by the provisions of these Articles, the Board may apply the share premium account in any manner permitted by the Act. The Company shall at all times comply with the provisions of the Act in relation to the share premium account.

 

(2) Before recommending any dividend, the Board may set aside out of the profits of the Company such sums as it determines as reserves which shall, at the discretion of the Board, be applicable for any purpose to which the profits of the Company may be properly applied and pending such application may, also at such discretion, either be employed in the business of the Company or be invested in such investments as the Board may from time to time think fit and so that it shall not be necessary to keep any investments constituting the reserve or reserves separate or distinct from any other investments of the Company. The Board may also without placing the same to reserve carry forward any profits which it may think prudent not to distribute.

 

CAPITALISATION

 

146. The Company may, upon the recommendation of the Board, at any time and from time to time pass an ordinary resolution to the effect that it is desirable to capitalise all or any part of any amount for the time being standing to the credit of any reserve or fund (including a share premium account and capital redemption reserve and the profit and loss account) whether or not the same is available for distribution and accordingly that such amount be set free for distribution among the Members or any class of Members who would be entitled thereto if it were distributed by way of dividend and in the same proportions, on the basis that the same is not paid in cash but is applied either in or towards paying up the amounts for the time being unpaid on any shares in the Company held by such Members respectively or in paying up in full unissued shares, debentures or other obligations of the Company, to be allotted and distributed credited as fully paid up among such Members, or partly in one way and partly in the other, and the Board shall give effect to such resolution provided that, for the purposes of this Article 146, a share premium account and any capital redemption reserve or fund representing unrealised profits, may be applied only in paying up in full unissued shares of the Company to be allotted to such Members credited as fully paid.

 

- 43 -

 

 

147. The Board may settle, as it considers appropriate, any difficulty arising in regard to any distribution and in particular may issue certificates in respect of fractions of shares or authorise any person to sell and transfer any fractions or may resolve that the distribution should be as nearly as may be practicable in the correct proportion but not exactly so or may ignore fractions altogether, and may determine that cash payments shall be made to any Members in order to adjust the rights of all parties, as may seem expedient to the Board. The Board may appoint any person to sign on behalf of the persons entitled to participate in the distribution any contract necessary or desirable for giving effect thereto and such appointment shall be effective and binding upon the Members.

 

SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS RESERVE

 

148. The following provisions shall have effect to the extent that they are not prohibited by and are in compliance with the Act:

 

(1) If, so long as any of the rights attached to any warrants issued by the Company to subscribe for shares of the Company shall remain exercisable, the Company does any act or engages in any transaction which, as a result of any adjustments to the subscription price in accordance with the provisions of the conditions of the warrants, would reduce the subscription price to below the par value of a share, then the following provisions shall apply:

 

(a)as from the date of such act or transaction the Company shall establish and thereafter (subject as provided in this Article 148) maintain in accordance with the provisions of this Article 148 a reserve (the “Subscription Rights Reserve”) the amount of which shall at no time be less than the sum which for the time being would be required to be capitalised and applied in paying up in full the nominal amount of the additional shares required to be issued and allotted credited as fully paid pursuant to sub-paragraph (c) below on the exercise in full of all the subscription rights outstanding and shall apply the Subscription Rights Reserve in paying up such additional shares in full as and when the same are allotted;

 

(b)the Subscription Rights Reserve shall not be used for any purpose other than that specified above unless all other reserves of the Company (other than share premium account) have been extinguished and will then only be used to make good losses of the Company if and so far as is required by law;

 

(c)upon the exercise of all or any of the subscription rights represented by any warrant, the relevant subscription rights shall be exercisable in respect of a nominal amount of shares equal to the amount in cash which the holder of such warrant is required to pay on exercise of the subscription rights represented thereby (or, as the case may be the relevant portion thereof in the event of a partial exercise of the subscription rights) and, in addition, there shall be allotted in respect of such subscription rights to the exercising warrantholder, credited as fully paid, such additional nominal amount of shares as is equal to the difference between:

 

(i)the said amount in cash which the holder of such warrant is required to pay on exercise of the subscription rights represented thereby (or, as the case may be, the relevant portion thereof in the event of a partial exercise of the subscription rights); and

 

- 44 -

 

 

(ii)the nominal amount of shares in respect of which such subscription rights would have been exercisable having regard to the provisions of the conditions of the warrants, had it been possible for such subscription rights to represent the right to subscribe for shares at less than par and immediately upon such exercise so much of the sum standing to the credit of the Subscription Rights Reserve as is required to pay up in full such additional nominal amount of shares shall be capitalised and applied in paying up in full such additional nominal amount of shares which shall forthwith be allotted credited as fully paid to the exercising warrantholders; and

 

(d)if, upon the exercise of the subscription rights represented by any warrant, the amount standing to the credit of the Subscription Rights Reserve is not sufficient to pay up in full such additional nominal amount of shares equal to such difference as aforesaid to which the exercising warrantholder is entitled, the Board shall apply any profits or reserves then or thereafter becoming available (including, to the extent permitted by law, share premium account) for such purpose until such additional nominal amount of shares is paid up and allotted as aforesaid and until then no dividend or other distribution shall be paid or made on the fully paid shares of the Company then in issue. Pending such payment and allotment, the exercising warrantholder shall be issued by the Company with a certificate evidencing his right to the allotment of such additional nominal amount of shares. The rights represented by any such certificate shall be in registered form and shall be transferable in whole or in part in units of one share in the like manner as the shares for the time being are transferable, and the Company shall make such arrangements in relation to the maintenance of a register therefor and other matters in relation thereto as the Board may think fit and adequate particulars thereof shall be made known to each relevant exercising warrantholder upon the issue of such certificate.

 

(2) Shares allotted pursuant to the provisions of this Article shall rank pari passu in all respects with the other shares allotted on the relevant exercise of the subscription rights represented by the warrant concerned. Notwithstanding anything contained in paragraph (1) of this Article, no fraction of any share shall be allotted on exercise of the subscription rights.

 

(3) The provision of this Article as to the establishment and maintenance of the Subscription Rights Reserve shall not be altered or added to in any way which would vary or abrogate, or which would have the effect of varying or abrogating the provisions for the benefit of any warrantholder or class of warrantholders under this Article without the sanction of a special resolution of such warrantholders or class of warrantholders.

 

(4) A certificate or report by the auditors for the time being of the Company as to whether or not the Subscription Rights Reserve is required to be established and maintained and if so the amount thereof so required to be established and maintained, as to the purposes for which the Subscription Rights Reserve has been used, as to the extent to which it has been used to make good losses of the Company, as to the additional nominal amount of shares required to be allotted to exercising warrantholders credited as fully paid, and as to any other matter concerning the Subscription Rights Reserve shall (in the absence of manifest error) be conclusive and binding upon the Company and all warrantholders and shareholders.

 

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ACCOUNTING RECORDS

 

149. The Board shall cause true accounts to be kept of the sums of money received and expended by the Company, and the matters in respect of which such receipt and expenditure take place, and of the property, assets, credits and liabilities of the Company and of all other matters required by the Act or necessary to give a true and fair view of the Company’s affairs and to explain its transactions.

 

150. The accounting records shall be kept at the Office or, at such other place or places as the Board decides and shall always be open to inspection by the Directors. No Member (other than a Director) shall have any right of inspecting any accounting record or book or document of the Company except as conferred by law or authorised by the Board or the Company in general meeting.

 

151. Subject to Article 152, a printed copy of the Directors’ report, accompanied by the balance sheet and profit and loss account, including every document required by law to be annexed thereto, made up to the end of the applicable financial year and containing a summary of the assets and liabilities of the Company under convenient heads and a statement of income and expenditure, together with a copy of the Auditors’ report, shall be sent to each person entitled thereto at least ten (10) days before the date of the general meeting and laid before the Company at the annual general meeting held in accordance with Article 57 provided that this Article shall not require a copy of those documents to be sent to any person whose address the Company is not aware or to more than one of the joint holders of any shares or debentures.

 

152. Subject to due compliance with all applicable Statutes, rules and regulations, including, without limitation, the rules and regulations of the Designated Stock Exchange, and to obtaining all necessary consents, if any, required thereunder, the requirements of Article 151 shall be deemed satisfied in relation to any person by sending to the person in any manner not prohibited by the Statutes, a summarised financial statements derived from the Company’s annual accounts and the directors’ report which shall be in the form and containing the information required by applicable laws and regulations, provided that any person who is otherwise entitled to the annual financial statements of the Company and the directors’ report thereon may, if he so requires by notice in writing served on the Company, demand that the Company sends to him, in addition to a summarised financial statements, a complete printed copy of the Company’s annual financial statements and the directors’ report thereon.

 

153. The requirement to send to a person referred to in Article 151 the documents referred to in that article or a summary financial report in accordance with Article 152 shall be deemed satisfied where, in accordance with all applicable Statutes, rules and regulations, including, without limitation, the rules and regulations of the Designated Stock Exchange, the Company publishes copies of the documents referred to in Article 151 and, if applicable, a summary financial report complying with Article 152, by placing it on the Company’s website or in any other manner (including by sending any form of electronic communication) permitted by Article 160.

 

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AUDIT

 

154. Subject to applicable law and rules and regulations of the Designated Stock Exchange, the Audit Committee or, in the absence of such Audit Committee, the Board shall appoint an Auditor to audit the accounts of the Company and such auditor shall hold office until removed from office by a resolution of the Directors. Such auditor may be a Member but no Director or officer or employee of the Company shall, during his continuance in office, be eligible to act as an Auditor.

 

155. Subject to the Act, the accounts of the Company shall be audited at least once in every year.

 

156. The remuneration of the Auditor shall be determine by the Audit Committee or, in the absence of such Audit Committee, by the Board.

 

157. The Audit Committee or the Board may remove the Auditor at any time before the expiration of his term of office and may by resolution appoint another Auditor in his stead.

 

158. The Auditor shall at all reasonable times have access to all books kept by the Company and to all accounts and vouchers relating thereto; and he may call on the Directors or officers of the Company for any information in their possession relating to the books or affairs of the Company.

 

159. The statement of income and expenditure and the balance sheet provided for by these Articles shall be examined by the Auditor and compared by him with the books, accounts and vouchers relating thereto; and he shall make a written report thereon stating whether such statement and balance sheet are drawn up so as to present fairly the financial position of the Company and the results of its operations for the period under review and, in case information shall have been called for from Directors or officers of the Company, whether the same has been furnished and has been satisfactory. The financial statements of the Company shall be audited by the Auditor in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. The Auditor shall make a written report thereon in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and the report of the Auditor shall be submitted to the Audit Committee. The generally accepted auditing standards referred to herein may be those of a country or jurisdiction other than the Cayman Islands. If so, the financial statements and the report of the Auditor should disclose this fact and name such country or jurisdiction.

 

NOTICES

 

160. Any Notice or document, whether or not, to be given or issued under these Articles from the Company to a Member shall be in writing or by cable, telex or facsimile transmission message or other form of electronic transmission or electronic communication and any such Notice and document may be served or delivered by the Company on or to any Member either (i) personally or (ii) by sending it through the post in a prepaid envelope addressed to such Member at his registered address as appearing in the Register or at any other address supplied by him to the Company for the purpose or (iii) by transmitting it to any such address or transmitting it to any telex or facsimile transmission number or electronic number or electronic address or website supplied by him to the Company for the giving of Notice or documents to him or which the person transmitting the notice or document reasonably and bona fide believes at the relevant time will result in the Notice or document being duly received by the Member or (iv) may also be served by advertisement in appropriate newspapers in accordance with the requirements of the Designated Stock Exchange or (v) to the extent permitted by all applicable Statutes, rules and regulations, including, without limitation, the rules and regulations of the Designated Stock Exchange, by placing it on the Company’s website. In the case of joint holders of a share all notices shall be given to that one of the joint holders whose name stands first in the Register and notice so given shall be deemed a sufficient service on or delivery to all the joint holders.

 

- 47 -

 

 

161. Any Notice or other document:

 

(a)if served or delivered by post, shall where appropriate be sent by airmail and shall be deemed to have been served or delivered on the day following that on which the envelope containing the same, properly prepaid and addressed, is put into the post; in proving such service or delivery it shall be sufficient to prove that the envelope or wrapper containing the notice or document was properly addressed and put into the post and a certificate in writing signed by the Secretary or other officer of the Company or other person appointed by the Board that the envelope or wrapper containing the Notice or other document was so addressed and put into the post shall be conclusive evidence thereof;

 

(b)if sent by electronic communication, shall be deemed to be given on the day on which it is transmitted from the server of the Company or its agent. A Notice placed on the Company’s website is deemed given by the Company to a Member on the day it is placed;

 

(c)if served or delivered in any other manner contemplated by these Articles, shall be deemed to have been served or delivered at the time of personal service or delivery or, as the case may be, at the time of the relevant despatch or transmission or publication; and in proving such service or delivery a certificate in writing signed by the Secretary or other officer of the Company or other person appointed by the Board as to the act and time of such service, delivery, despatch or transmission or publication shall be conclusive evidence thereof; and

 

(d)may be given to a Member in the English language or such other language as may be approved by the Directors, subject to due compliance with all applicable Statutes, rules and regulations.

 

162. (1) Any Notice or other document delivered or sent by post to or left at the registered address of any Member in pursuance of these Articles shall, notwithstanding that such Member is then dead or bankrupt or that any other event has occurred, and whether or not the Company has notice of the death or bankruptcy or other event, be deemed to have been duly served or delivered in respect of any share registered in the name of such Member as sole or joint holder unless his name shall, at the time of the service or delivery of the Notice or document, have been removed from the Register as the holder of the share, and such service or delivery shall for all purposes be deemed a sufficient service or delivery of such Notice or document on all persons interested (whether jointly with or as claiming through or under him) in the share.

 

(2) A Notice may be given by the Company to the person entitled to a share in consequence of the death, mental disorder or bankruptcy of a Member by sending it through the post in a prepaid letter, envelope or wrapper addressed to him by name, or by the title of representative of the deceased, or trustee of the bankrupt, or by any like description, at the address, if any, supplied for the purpose by the person claiming to be so entitled, or (until such an address has been so supplied) by giving the notice in any manner in which the same might have been given if the death, mental disorder or bankruptcy had not occurred.

 

- 48 -

 

 

(3) Any person who by operation of law, transfer or other means whatsoever shall become entitled to any share shall be bound by every Notice in respect of such share which prior to his name and address being entered on the Register shall have been duly given to the person from whom he derives his title to such share.

 

(4) Every Member or a person who is entitled to receive notice from the Company under the provisions of the Statutes or these Articles may register with the Company an electronic address to which notices can be served upon him.

 

SIGNATURES

 

163. For the purposes of these Articles, a cable or telex or facsimile or electronic transmission message purporting to come from a holder of shares or, as the case may be, a Director, or, in the case of a corporation which is a holder of shares from a director or the secretary thereof or a duly appointed attorney or duly authorised representative thereof for it and on its behalf, shall in the absence of express evidence to the contrary available to the person relying thereon at the relevant time be deemed to be a document or instrument in writing signed by such holder or Director in the terms in which it is received. The signature to any notice or document to be given by the Company may be written, printed or made electronically.

 

WINDING UP

 

164. (1) Subject to Article 164(2), the Board shall have power in the name and on behalf of the Company to present a petition to the court for the Company to be wound up.

 

(2) Unless otherwise provided by the Act, a resolution that the Company be wound up by the court or be wound up voluntarily shall be a special resolution.

 

165. (1) Subject to any special rights, privileges or restrictions as to the distribution of available surplus assets on liquidation for the time being attached to any class or classes of shares (i) if the Company shall be wound up and the assets available for distribution amongst the Members shall be more than sufficient to repay the whole of the capital paid up at the commencement of the winding up, the excess shall be distributed pari passu amongst such members in proportion to the amount paid up on the shares held by them respectively and (ii) if the Company shall be wound up and the assets available for distribution amongst the Members as such shall be insufficient to repay the whole of the paid-up capital such assets shall be distributed so that, a nearly as may be, the losses shall be borne by the Members in proportion to the capital paid up, or which ought to have been paid up, at the commencement of the winding up on the shares held by them respectively.

 

(2) If the Company shall be wound up (whether the liquidation is voluntary or by the court) the liquidator may, with the authority of a special resolution and any other sanction required by the Act, divide among the Members in specie or kind the whole or any part of the assets of the Company and whether or not the assets shall consist of properties of one kind or shall consist of properties to be divided as aforesaid of different kinds, and may for such purpose set such value as he deems fair upon any one or more class or classes of property and may determine how such division shall be carried out as between the Members or different classes of Members. The liquidator may, with the like authority, vest any part of the assets in trustees upon such trusts for the benefit of the Members as the liquidator with the like authority shall think fit, and the liquidation of the Company may be closed and the Company dissolved, but so that no contributory shall be compelled to accept any shares or other property in respect of which there is a liability.

 

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INDEMNITY

 

166. (1) Every Director (including for the purposes of this Article any alternate Director appointed pursuant to the provisions of these Articles), Secretary, or other officer for the time being and from time to time of the Company (but not including the Auditor) and the personal representatives of the same (each an “Indemnified Person”) shall be indemnified and secured harmless out of the assets and profits of the Company from and against all actions, proceeding, costs, charges, expenses, losses, damages or liabilities incurred or sustained by such Indemnified Person, other than by reason of such Indemnified Person’s own dishonesty, wilful default or fraud, in or about the conduct of the Company’s business or affairs (including as a result of any mistake of judgment) or in the execution or discharge of his duties, powers, authorities or discretions, including without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, any costs, expenses, losses or liabilities incurred by such Indemnified Person in defending (whether successfully or otherwise) any civil proceedings concerning the Company or its affairs in any court whether in the Cayman Islands or elsewhere.

 

(2) Each Member agrees to waive any claim or right of action he might have, whether individually or by or in the right of the Company, against any Director on account of any action taken by such Director, or the failure of such Director to take any action in the performance of his duties with or for the Company; PROVIDED THAT such waiver shall not extend to any matter in respect of any fraud, willful default or dishonesty which may attach to such Director.

 

FINANCIAL YEAR

 

167. Unless otherwise determined by the Directors, the financial year of the Company shall end on the 31st of December in each year.

 

AMENDMENT TO MEMORANDUM AND ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

AND NAME OF COMPANY

 

168. No Article shall be rescinded, altered or amended and no new Article shall be made until the same has been approved by a special resolution of the Members. A special resolution shall be required to alter the provisions of the Memorandum of Association or to change the name of the Company.

 

INFORMATION

 

169. No Member shall be entitled to require discovery of or any information respecting any detail of the Company’s trading or any matter which is or may be in the nature of a trade secret or secret process which may relate to the conduct of the business of the Company and which in the opinion of the Directors it will be inexpedient in the interests of the members of the Company to communicate to the public.

 

- 50 -

 

Exhibit 5.1

 

   

CONYERS DILL & PEARMAN

 

29th Floor

One Exchange Square
8 Connaught Place
Central

Hong Kong 

 

T +852 2524 7106 | F +852 2845 9268

 

conyers.com

 

22 December 2023    

 

    Matter No. 837532/109597839
Anna.Chong@conyers.com
+852 2842 9531
Michael.Yu@conyers.com
+852 2842 9522

 

LZ TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LIMITED

Unit 311, Floor 3, No. 5999 Wuxing Avenue,
Zhili Town, Wuxing District

Huzhou City, Zhejiang province,
People’s Republic of China 313000

 

Dear Sir/Madam,

 

Re: LZ TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LIMITED (the “Company”)

 

We have acted as special Cayman Islands legal counsel to the Company in connection with a registration statement on form F-1 to be filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on or about the date hereof (the “Registration Statement”, which term does not include any other document or agreement whether or not specifically referred to therein or attached as an exhibit or schedule thereto) relating to the registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (the “Securities Act”) of Class B Ordinary Shares of par value US$0.0001 each (the “Class B Ordinary Shares”) of the Company.

 

1.DOCUMENTS REVIEWED

 

For the purposes of giving this opinion, we have examined a copy of the Registration Statement and a draft of the prospectus (the “Prospectus”) contained in the Registration Statement which is in substantially final form.

 

We have also reviewed copies of:

 

1.1.the amended and restated memorandum and articles of association of the Company adopted on 23 June 2023 and certified by a director of the Company;

 

1.2.written resolutions of the sole director of the Company dated 22 December 2023 and unanimous written resolutions of all the shareholders of the Company dated 22 December 2023 (collectively, the “Resolutions”);

 

1.3.the second amended and restated memorandum and articles of association of the Company conditionally adopted on 22 December 2023 to become effective upon the Commission’s declaration of effectiveness of the Registration Statement (the “Listing M&As”);

 

1.4.a Certificate of Good Standing issued by the Registrar of Companies in relation to the Company dated 20 December 2023 (the “Certificate Date”); and

 

1.5.such other documents and made such enquiries as to questions of law as we have deemed necessary in order to render the opinion set forth below.

 

 

Partners: Piers J. Alexander, Christopher W. H. Bickley, Peter H. Y. Ch’ng, Anna W. T. Chong, Angie Y. Y. Chu, Vivien C. S. Fung, Richard J. Hall, Norman Hau, Wynne Lau, Paul M. L. Lim, Anna W. X. Lin, Teresa F. Tsai, Flora K. Y. Wong, Lilian S. C. Woo, Mark P. Yeadon

 

Consultant: David M. Lamb

 

BERMUDA | BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS | CAYMAN ISLANDS

 

 

 

 

2.ASSUMPTIONS

 

We have assumed:

 

2.1.the genuineness and authenticity of all signatures, stamps and seals and the conformity to the originals of all copies (whether or not certified) examined by us and the authenticity and completeness of the originals from which such copies were taken;

 

2.2.that where a document has been examined by us in draft form, it will be or has been executed and/or filed in the form of that draft, and where a number of drafts of a document have been examined by us all changes thereto have been marked or otherwise drawn to our attention;

 

2.3.the accuracy and completeness of all factual representations made in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and other documents reviewed by us;

 

2.4. that the Resolutions were passed at one or more duly convened, constituted and quorate meetings or by unanimous written resolutions, will remain in full force and effect and will not be rescinded or amended;

 

2.5.that there is no provision of the law of any jurisdiction, other than the Cayman Islands, which would have any implication in relation to the opinions expressed herein;

 

2.6.that upon issue of any Class B Ordinary Shares to be sold by the Company, the Company will receive consideration for the full issue price thereof which shall be equal to at least the par value thereof;

 

2.7.that the Company will have sufficient authorised but unissued Class B Ordinary Shares in its share capital to effect the issue of any of the Class B Ordinary Shares at all relevant time;

 

2.8.that on the date of any issue of Class B Ordinary Shares, the Company is, and after any such issue of Class B Ordinary Shares, the Company is and will be able to, pay its debts;

 

2.9.that the Listing M&As will become effective immediately upon the Commission’s declaration of effectiveness of the Registration Statement;

 

2.10.that the Listing M&As will not be amended in any manner that would affect the opinions expressed herein;

 

2.11.that no invitation has been or will be made by or on behalf of the Company to the public in the Cayman Islands to subscribe for any shares of the Company;

 

2.12.the validity and binding effect under the laws of the United States of America of the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, and that the Registration Statement and the Prospectus will be duly filed with or declared effective by the Commission; and

 

2.13.that the Prospectus, when published, will be in substantially the same form as that examined by us for purposes of this opinion.

  

conyers.com | 2

 

 

3.QUALIFICATIONS

 

We have made no investigation of and express no opinion in relation to the laws of any jurisdiction other than the Cayman Islands. This opinion is to be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Cayman Islands and is limited to and is given on the basis of the current law and practice in the Cayman Islands. This opinion is issued solely for your benefit and use in connection with the matter described herein and is not to be relied upon by any other person, firm or entity or in respect of any other matter.

 

4.OPINION

 

On the basis of and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:

 

4.1.The Company is duly incorporated and existing under the laws of the Cayman Islands and, based on the Certificate of Good Standing, is in good standing as at the Certificate Date. Pursuant to the Companies Act (the “Act”), a company is deemed to be in good standing if all fees and penalties under the Act have been paid and the Registrar of Companies has no knowledge that the Company is in default under the Act.

 

4.2.When issued and paid for as contemplated by the Registration Statement and registered in the register of members of the Company, the Class B Ordinary Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable (which term when used herein means that no further sums are required to be paid by the holders thereof in connection with the issue of such shares).

 

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the references to our firm under the captions “Enforceability of Civil Liabilities” and “Legal Matters” in the Prospectus forming a part of the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not hereby admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the Rules and Regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

 

Yours faithfully,

 

Conyers Dill & Pearman

 

 

 

conyers.com | 3

 

 

Exhibit 8.1

 

 

 

CONYERS DILL & PEARMAN

 

29th Floor

One Exchange Square

8 Connaught Place

Central

Hong Kong

 

T +852 2524 7106 | F +852 2845 9268

 

conyers.com

 

22 December 2023

 

Matter No. 837532/109597840

Anna.Chong@conyers.com

+852 2842 9531

Michael.Yu@conyers.com

+852 2842 9522

 

LZ TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LIMITED

Unit 311, Floor 3, No. 5999 Wuxing Avenue,

Zhili Town, Wuxing District

Huzhou City, Zhejiang province,

People’s Republic of China 313000

 

Dear Sir/Madam,

 

Re: LZ TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LIMITED (the “Company”)

 

We have acted as special Cayman Islands legal counsel to the Company in connection with a registration statement on form F-1 to be filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on or about the date hereof (the “Registration Statement”, which term does not include any other document or agreement whether or not specifically referred to therein or attached as an exhibit or schedule thereto) relating to the registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (the “Securities Act”) of Class B Ordinary Shares of par value US$0.0001 each (the “Class B Ordinary Shares”) of the Company.

 

1.DOCUMENTS REVIEWED

 

For the purposes of giving this opinion, we have examined and relied upon copies of the following documents:

 

1.1.the Registration Statement; and

 

1.2.a draft of the prospectus (the “Prospectus”) contained in the Registration Statement which is in substantially final form; and

 

1.3.such other documents and made such enquiries as to questions of law as we have deemed necessary in order to render the opinion set forth below.

 

2.ASSUMPTIONS

 

We have assumed:

 

2.1.the genuineness and authenticity of all signatures, stamps and seals and the conformity to the originals of all copies of documents (whether or not certified) examined by us and the authenticity and completeness of the originals from which such copies were taken;

 

Partners: Piers J. Alexander, Christopher W. H. Bickley, Peter H. Y. Ch’ng, Anna W. T. Chong, Angie Y. Y. Chu, Vivien C. S. Fung, Richard J. Hall, Norman Hau, Wynne Lau, Paul M. L. Lim, Anna W. X. Lin, Teresa F. Tsai, Flora K. Y. Wong, Lilian S. C. Woo, Mark P. Yeadon

 

Consultant: David M. Lamb

 

BERMUDA | BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS | CAYMAN ISLANDS

 

 

 

 

2.2.the accuracy and completeness of all factual representations made in the Prospectus and Registration Statement reviewed by us;

 

2.3.the validity and binding effect under the laws of the United States of America of the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, and that the Registration Statement and the Prospectus will be duly filed with or declared effective by the Commission; and

 

2.4.that the Prospectus, when published, will be in substantially the same form as that examined by us for purposes of this opinion.

 

3.QUALIFICATIONS

 

We have made no investigation of and express no opinion in relation to the laws of any jurisdiction other than the Cayman Islands. This opinion is to be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Cayman Islands and is limited to and is given on the basis of the current law and practice in the Cayman Islands. This opinion is issued solely for your benefit and use in connection with the matter described herein and is not to be relied upon by any other person, firm or entity or in respect of any other matter.

 

4.OPINION

 

On the basis of and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the statements under the caption “Taxation — Cayman Islands Taxation” in the Prospectus forming part of the Registration Statement, to the extent that they constitute statements of Cayman Islands law, are accurate in all material respects and that such statements constitute our opinion.

 

5.CONSENT

 

We hereby consent to the use of this opinion in, and the filing hereof as an exhibit to, the Registration Statement and further consent to the reference of our name in the Prospectus forming part of the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not hereby admit that we are experts within the meaning of Section 11 of the Securities Act or that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the Rules and Regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

 

Yours faithfully,

 

 

 

Conyers Dill & Pearman

 

 

 

conyers.com | 2

 

 

Exhibit 8.3

 

 

Potomac Law Group, PLLC

1717 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Suite 1025

Washington, D.C. 20006

Telephone: (202) 204-3005

 

December 22, 2023

 

LZ Technology Holdings Limited

Unit 311, Floor 3, No. 5999, Wuxing Avenue,

Zhili Town, Wuxing District, Huzhou City

Zhejiang Province

People’s Republic of China 313000

 

Re: Opinion of Potomac Law Group PLLC as to Tax Matters

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

You have requested our opinion concerning the statements in the Registration Statement (as defined below) under the caption “Taxation — U.S. Federal Income Taxation” in connection with the public offering of certain Class B Ordinary Shares, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Class B Ordinary Shares”), of LZ Technology Holdings Limited (the “Company”) pursuant to Form F-1 Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933, filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on December 22, 2023, as amended from time to time (the “Registration Statement”).

 

This opinion is being furnished to you as Exhibit 8.3 to the Registration Statement.

 

In connection with rendering the opinion set forth below, we have examined and relied on originals or copies of the following (collectively the “Documents”):

 

(a) the Registration Statement; and

 

(b) such other documents, certificates and records as we have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for the opinion set forth below.

 

 

 

December 22, 2023

Page 2 of 3

 

Our opinion is conditioned on the initial and continuing accuracy of the facts, information and analyses set forth in the Documents. All capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings set forth in the Registration Statement.

 

For purposes of our opinion, we have assumed the legal capacity of all natural persons, the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all Documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original Documents of all Documents submitted to us as certified, conformed, electronic, or photostatic copies, and the authenticity of the originals of such latter Documents. We have relied on a representation of the Company that such Documents are duly authorized, valid and enforceable. Furthermore, our opinion assumes, with your consent, that (i) the final executed version of any Document that has not been executed as of the date of this letter (including any underwriting agreement to be executed in connection with the offering of the Class B Ordinary Shares) will be, in substance, identical to the version that we have reviewed, (ii) no material term or condition set forth in any executed Document (or the executed version of any Document described in clause (i) immediately above) will be amended, waived, or otherwise modified, and (iii) any transaction contemplated by any Document shall be consummated in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Document.

 

In addition, we have relied on factual statements and representations of the officers and other representatives of the Company and others, and we have assumed that such statements and representations are and will continue to be correct without regard to any qualification as to knowledge or belief.

 

We have not independently verified, and do not assume any responsibility for, the completeness or fairness of the Registration Statement and make no representation that the actions taken in connection with the preparation and review of the Registration Statement are sufficient to cause the Registration Statement to be complete or fair.

 

Our opinion is based on the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, U.S. Treasury regulations, judicial decisions, published positions of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, and such other authorities as we have considered relevant, all as in effect as of the date of this opinion and all of which are subject to differing interpretations or change at any time (possibly with retroactive effect). A change in the authorities upon which our opinion is based could affect the conclusions expressed herein. There can be no assurance, moreover, that the opinion expressed herein will be accepted by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service or, if challenged, by a court.

 

 

 

December 22, 2023

Page 3 of 3

 

Based upon and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion that, under current U.S. federal income tax law, although the discussion set forth in the Registration Statement under the heading “Taxation — U.S. Federal Income Taxation” does not purport to summarize all possible U.S. federal income tax considerations of the ownership and disposition of the Class B Ordinary Shares to U.S. Holders (as defined therein), such discussion constitutes, in all material respects, an accurate summary of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of the Class B Ordinary Shares that are anticipated to be material to U.S. Holders who hold the Class B Ordinary Shares pursuant to the Registration Statement, subject to the qualifications set forth in such discussion, and, to the extent that it sets forth any specific legal conclusion under U.S. federal income tax law, except as otherwise provided therein, it represents our opinion. Notwithstanding the foregoing, we do not express any opinion herein with respect to the Company’s status as a passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes for any taxable year, for the reasons stated in the discussion on PFICs set forth in the Registration Statement under the heading “Taxation — U.S. Federal Income Taxation.”

 

Except as set forth above, we express no other opinion. This opinion is furnished to you in connection with the offering of the Class B Ordinary Shares. This opinion is expressed as of the date hereof, and we are under no obligation to supplement or revise our opinion to reflect any legal developments or factual matters arising subsequent to the date hereof.

 

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, to the use of our name under the caption “Taxation” in the prospectus included in the Registration Statement and to the discussion of this opinion in the prospectus included in the Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules or regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

 

  Very truly yours,
   
  /s/ Potomac Law Group, PLLC

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.1

 

INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

 

This Indemnification Agreement (this “Agreement”), made and entered into as of the ________ day of ___________, 20_____, by and between LZ Technology Holdings Limited, an exempted company with limited liability under the laws of Cayman Islands (the “Company”) and ___________________ (“Indemnitee”).

 

W I T N E S S E T H:

 

WHEREAS, the Indemnitee has agreed to serve as a director or executive officer of the Company and in such capacity will render valuable services to the Company;

 

WHEREAS, both the Company and Indemnitee recognize the increased risk of litigation and other claims being asserted against directors and executive officers of public companies;

 

WHEREAS, in order to induce and encourage highly experienced and capable persons such as the Indemnitee to serve as directors and officers of the Company, the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”) has determined that it is reasonably prudent and necessary for the Company contractually to obligate itself to indemnify, and to advance expenses on behalf of, such persons;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual agreements hereinafter set forth, and other good and valuable consideration, including, without limitation, the service of the Indemnitee, the receipt of which hereby is acknowledged, and in order to induce the Indemnitee to serve, or continue to serve, as a director or an executive officer of the Company, the Company and the Indemnitee hereby agree as follows:

 

1. Definitions. As used in this Agreement:

 

(a). “Change of Control” shall mean any of the following:

 

(i) any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (collectively, the “Exchange Act”)), but excluding (1) the Company, (2) any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities pursuant to an employee benefit or welfare plan or employee share plan of the Company or any subsidiary or affiliate of the Company, or any entity organized, appointed, established or holding securities of the Company with voting power for or pursuant to the terms of any such plan and (3) any entity owned, directly or indirectly, by the shareholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company, becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 30% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities without the prior approval of at least majority of the directors in office immediately prior to such person’s attaining such interest;

 

(ii) any merger or consolidation of the Company with any other entity, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior to such merger or consolidation continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) more than 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation and with the power to elect at least a majority of the Board or other governing body of such surviving entity;

 

 

 

(iii) the approval by the shareholders of the Company of a complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company, in one transaction or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets;

 

(iv) any other event of a nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item 6(e) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A (or in response to any similar item or any similar or successor schedule or form) promulgated under the Exchange Act whether or not the Company is then subject to such reporting requirements; and

 

(v) during any period of two (2) consecutive years (not including any period prior to the execution of this Agreement), individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board, and any new director (other than a director designated by a person who has entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction described in Sections 1(a)(i), 1(a)(iii) or 1(a)(iv)) whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, ceasing for any reason to constitute a least a majority of the members of the Board.

 

(b). “Disinterested Director” with respect to any request by the Indemnitee for indemnification or advancement of expenses hereunder shall mean a director of the Company who neither is nor was a party to the Proceeding (as defined below) in respect of which indemnification or advancement is being sought by the Indemnitee.

 

(c). “Expenses” shall mean shall mean, without limitation, expenses of Proceedings, including attorneys’ fees, disbursement and retainers, accounting and witness fees, expenses related to preparation for service as a witness and to service as a witness, travel and deposition costs, expenses of investigations, judicial or administrative proceedings and appeals, amounts paid in settlement of a Proceeding by or on behalf of the Indemnitee, costs of attachment or similar bonds, any expenses of attempting to establish or establishing a right to indemnification or advancement of expenses, under this Agreement, the Company’s Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association as currently in effect (the “Articles”), applicable law or otherwise, and reasonable compensation for time spent by the Indemnitee in connection with the investigation, defense or appeal of a Proceeding or action for indemnification for which the Indemnitee is not otherwise compensated by the Company or any third party. The term “Expenses” shall not include the amount of judgments, fines, interest or penalties, which are actually levied against or sustained by the Indemnitee to the extent sustained after final adjudication.

 

(d). “Independent Legal Counsel” shall mean any firm of attorneys that is not presently representing and has not in the preceding five (5) years represented the Company, the Company’s subsidiaries or affiliates, the Indemnitee, any entity controlled by the Indemnitee, or any party adverse to the Company in any matter material to any such party (other than with respect to matters concerning the Indemnitee under this Agreement, or of other indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Independent Legal Counsel” shall not include any person who, under applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or the Indemnitee in an action to determine the Indemnitee’s right to indemnification or advancement of expenses under this Agreement, the Articles, applicable law or otherwise.

 

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(e). “Proceeding” shall mean any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, arbitration, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, or other proceeding (including, without limitation, an appeal therefrom), formal or informal, whether brought in the name of the Company or otherwise, whether of a civil, criminal, administrative or investigative nature, and whether by, in or involving a court or an administrative, other governmental or private entity or body (including, without limitation, an investigation by the Company or its Board), by reason of (i) the fact that the Indemnitee is or was a director or officer of the Company, or is or was serving at the request of the Company as an agent of another enterprise, whether or not the Indemnitee is serving in such capacity at the time any liability or expense is incurred for which indemnification or reimbursement is to be provided under this Agreement, (ii) any actual or alleged act or omission or neglect or breach of duty, including, without limitation, any actual or alleged error or misstatement or misleading statement, which the Indemnitee commits or suffers while acting in any such capacity, or (iii) the Indemnitee attempting to establish or establishing a right to indemnification or advancement of expenses pursuant to this Agreement, the Articles, applicable law or otherwise.

 

(f). The phrase “serving at the request of the Company as an agent of another enterprise” or any similar terminology shall mean, unless the context otherwise requires, serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, trust, employee benefit or welfare plan or other enterprise, foreign or domestic. The phrase “serving at the request of the Company” shall include, without limitation, any service as a director/an executive officer of the Company which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director/executive officer with respect to the Company or any of the Company’s subsidiaries, affiliates, employee benefit or welfare plans, such plan’s participants or beneficiaries or any other enterprise, foreign or domestic. In the event that the Indemnitee shall be a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, trust, employee benefit or welfare plan or other enterprise, foreign or domestic, 50% or more of the ordinary shares, combined voting power or total equity interest of which is owned by the Company or any subsidiary or affiliate thereof, then it shall be presumed conclusively that the Indemnitee is so acting at the request of the Company.

 

2. Services By Indemnitee. The Indemnitee agrees to serve as a director or officer of the Company under the terms of the Indemnitee’s agreement with the Company for so long as the Indemnitee is duly elected or appointed or until such time as the Indemnitee tenders a resignation in writing or is removed from the Indemnitee’s position; provided, however, that the Indemnitee may at any time and for any reason resign from such position (subject to any other contractual obligation or other obligation imposed by operation of law).

 

3. Proceedings by or in the Right of the Company. The Company shall indemnify the Indemnitee if the Indemnitee is a party to or threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that the Indemnitee is or was a director or officer of the Company, or is or was serving at the request of the Company as an agent of another enterprise, against all Expenses, judgments, fines, interest or penalties, which are actually and reasonably incurred by the Indemnitee in connection with the defense or settlement of such a Proceeding, if the Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner the Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the Company; except that no indemnification under this section shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudicated by final judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction to be liable to the Company for willful misconduct in the performance of his/her duty to the Company, unless and only to the extent that the court in which such Proceeding was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such amounts which such other court shall deem proper.

 

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4. Proceeding Other Than a Proceeding by or in the Right of the Company. The Company shall indemnify the Indemnitee if the Indemnitee is a party to or threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any Proceeding (other than a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company) by reason of the fact that the Indemnitee is or was a director or officer of the Company, or is or was serving at the request of the Company as an agent of another enterprise, against all Expenses, judgments, fines, interest or penalties, which are actually and reasonably incurred by the Indemnitee in connection with such a Proceeding, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law; provided, however, that any settlement of a Proceeding must be approved in advance in writing by the Company (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld).

 

5. Indemnification for Costs, Charges and Expenses of Witness or Successful Party. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent that the Indemnitee (a) has prepared to serve or has served as a witness in any Proceeding in any way relating to (i) the Company or the Company’s subsidiaries, affiliates, employee benefit or welfare plans or such plan’s participants or beneficiaries or (ii) anything done or not done by the Indemnitee as a director or officer of the Company or in connection with serving at the request of the Company as an agent of another enterprise, or (b) has been successful in defense of any Proceeding or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, on the merits or otherwise, including the dismissal of a Proceeding without prejudice or the settlement of a Proceeding without an admission of liability, the Indemnitee shall be indemnified against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by the Indemnitee in connection therewith to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. All such indemnification against Expenses shall be offset by the amount of cash, if any, received by the Indemnitee resulting from his/her success therein.

 

6. Partial Indemnification. If Indemnitee is entitled under any provision of this Agreement to indemnification by the Company for a portion of Expenses, but not for the total amount of Expenses, the Company shall indemnify the Indemnitee for the portion of such Expenses to which Indemnitee is entitled.

 

7. Advancement of Expenses. The Expenses incurred by the Indemnitee in any Proceeding shall be paid promptly by the Company in advance of the final disposition of the Proceeding at the written request of the Indemnitee, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law; provided, however, that the Indemnitee shall set forth in such request reasonable evidence that such Expenses have been incurred by the Indemnitee in connection with such Proceeding and an undertaking in writing to repay any advances if it is ultimately determined as provided in Section 8(b) of this Agreement that the Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, the Articles, applicable law or otherwise.

 

8. Indemnification Procedure; Determination of Right to Indemnification.

 

(a) Promptly after receipt by the Indemnitee of notice of the commencement of any Proceeding, the Indemnitee shall, if a claim for indemnification or advancement of Expenses in respect thereof is to be made against the Company under this Agreement, notify the Company of the commencement thereof in writing. The failure and delay to so notify the Company will not relieve the Company from any liability which the Company may have to the Indemnitee under this Agreement unless the Company shall have lost significant substantive or procedural rights with respect to the defense of any Proceeding as a result of such omission to so notify.

 

(b) The Indemnitee shall be conclusively presumed to be entitled to indemnification under this Agreement unless a determination is made that the Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, the Articles, applicable law or otherwise by one of the following two methods, which, if there has not been a Change in Control, shall be at the election of the Board: (i) by a majority vote of the Board of a quorum consisting of Disinterested Directors or (ii) if a quorum of the Board consisting of Disinterested Directors is not obtainable or, even if obtainable, said Disinterested Directors so direct, by Independent Legal Counsel in a written opinion to the Board, a copy of which shall be delivered to the Indemnitee. If a Change in Control shall have occurred and the Indemnitee so requests in writing, such determination shall be made only by Independent Legal Counsel in the manner set forth in this subsection.

 

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(c) If (i) a determination is made that the Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement or (ii) a claim for indemnification or advancement of Expenses under this Agreement is not paid by the Company within thirty (30) days after receipt by the Company of written notice thereof, the Indemnitee is entitled to an adjudication in any court of competent jurisdiction. Such judicial proceeding shall be made de novo. The burden of proving that indemnification or advances are not appropriate shall be on the Company. Neither the failure of the directors of the Company or Independent Legal Counsel to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification or advancement of Expenses is proper in the circumstances because the Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct, if any, nor an actual determination by the directors of the Company or Independent Legal Counsel that the Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct shall be a defense to an action by the Indemnitee or create a presumption for the purpose of such an action that the Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct. The termination of any Proceeding by judgment, order, settlement or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself (i) create a presumption that the Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the Company and/or its shareholders, and, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, that the Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful or (ii) otherwise adversely affect the rights of the Indemnitee to indemnification or advancement of Expenses under this Agreement, except as may be provided herein.

 

(d) If a court of competent jurisdiction shall determine that the Indemnitee is entitled to any indemnification or advancement of Expenses hereunder, the Company shall pay all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by the Indemnitee in connection with such adjudication (including, but not limited to, any appellate proceedings).

 

(e) With respect to any Proceeding for which indemnification or advancement of Expenses is requested, the Company will be entitled to participate therein at its own expense and, except as otherwise provided below, to the extent that it may wish, the Company may assume the defense thereof, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnitee. After notice from the Company to the Indemnitee of its election to assume the defense of a Proceeding, the Company will not be liable to the Indemnitee under this Agreement for any Expenses subsequently incurred by the Indemnitee in connection with the defense thereof, other than as provided below. The Company shall not settle any Proceeding in any manner which would impose any penalty or limitation on the Indemnitee without the Indemnitee’s written consent. The Indemnitee shall have the right to employ his/her own counsel in any Proceeding, but the fees and expenses of such counsel incurred after notice from the Company of its assumption of the defense of the Proceeding shall be at the expense of the Indemnitee, unless (i) the employment of counsel by the Indemnitee has been authorized by the Company, (ii) the Indemnitee shall have reasonably concluded that there may be a conflict of interest between the Company and the Indemnitee in the conduct of the defense of a Proceeding, or (iii) the Company shall not in fact have employed counsel to assume the defense of a proceeding, in each of which cases the fees and expenses of the Indemnitee’s counsel shall be advanced by the Company. The Company shall not be entitled to assume the defense of any Proceeding brought by or on behalf of the Company or as to which the Indemnitee has reasonably concluded that there may be a conflict of interest between the Company and the Indemnitee.

 

9. Limitations on Indemnification. Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement, the Company shall not be obligated under this Agreement to make any indemnity in connection with any claim made against the Indemnitee:

 

(a) in connection with any Proceeding initiated or brought voluntarily by the Indemnitee and not by way of defense, unless (i) the Board authorized the Proceeding prior to its initiation or (ii) the Proceeding is to enforce indemnification rights under this Agreement, the Articles, applicable law or otherwise and either (A) Indemnitee is successful in such Proceeding in establishing Indemnitee’s right, in whole or in part, to indemnification or advancement of Expenses hereunder (in which case such indemnification or advancement shall be to the fullest extent permitted by this Agreement) or (B) the court in such Proceeding shall determine that, despite Indemnitee’s failure to establish his or her right to indemnification, Indemnitee is entitled to indemnity for such expenses (in which case such indemnification or advancement shall be to the extent provided by such court);

 

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(b) in connection with the Indemnitee preparing to serve or serving, prior to a Change in Control, as a witness in voluntary cooperation with any non-governmental or non-regulatory party or entity who or which has threatened or commenced any action or proceeding against the Company, or any director, officer, employee, trustee, agent, representative, subsidiary, parent corporation or affiliate of the Company, but such indemnification may be provided by the Company if the Board finds it to be appropriate;

 

(c) for which payment has actually been made to the Indemnitee under a valid and collectible insurance policy, except in respect of any excess beyond the amount of payment under such insurance policy;

 

(d) for an accounting of profits made from the purchase or sale by the Indemnitee of securities of the Company pursuant to the provisions of Section 16(b) of the Act or similar provisions of any foreign or United States federal, state or local statute or regulation;

 

(e) for which the Indemnitee is indemnified and actually paid other than pursuant to this Agreement;

 

(f) for conduct that is finally adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction to have been caused by the Indemnitee’s dishonesty, willful default or fraud, including, without limitation, breach of the duty of loyalty, unless and only to the extent that the court in which such Proceeding was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, the Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such amounts which such court shall deem proper;

 

(g) if a court of competent jurisdiction finally determines that such indemnification is unlawful. In this respect, the Company and the Indemnitee have been advised that the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) takes the position that indemnification for liabilities arising under securities laws is against public policy and is, therefore, unenforceable and that claims for indemnification should be submitted to appropriate courts for adjudication;;

 

(h) in connection with Indemnitee’s personal tax matter;

 

(i) subject to the proviso in Section 9(a) hereof, in connection with any dispute or breach arising under any contract or similar obligation between the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates and such Indemnitee; or

 

(j) in connection with any reimbursement made by Indemnitee to the Company pursuant to Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”), Section 306 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act or Section 954 of the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the rules promulgated by the SEC thereunder.

 

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10. Insurance. To the extent that the Company maintains an insurance policy or policies providing liability insurance for directors, officers, employees, or agents or fiduciaries of the Company or of any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise that such person serves at the request of the Company, the Indemnitee shall be covered by such policy or policies in accordance with its or their terms to the maximum extent of the coverage available for any director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary under such policy or policies. If, at the time of the receipt of a notice of a Proceeding pursuant to the terms hereof, the Company has directors’ and officers’ insurance in effect, the Company shall give prompt notice of the commencement of such Proceeding to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies. The Company shall thereafter take all necessary or desirable action to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of the Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such Proceeding in accordance with the terms of such policies.

 

11. No Employment Rights. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to create in the Indemnitee any right to continued employment with the Company.

 

12. Continuation of Indemnification. All agreements and obligations of the Company contained herein shall continue during the period that the Indemnitee is a director or an executive officer of the Company (or is or was serving at the request of the Company as an agent of another enterprise, foreign or domestic) and shall continue thereafter so long as the Indemnitee shall be subject to any Proceeding by reason of the fact that the Indemnitee is or was a director or an executive officer of the Company or is or was serving in any other capacity referred to in this Section 12.

 

13. Indemnification Hereunder Not Exclusive. The indemnification provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed to be exclusive of any other rights to which the Indemnitee may be entitled under the Articles, any agreement, vote of shareholders or vote of Disinterested Directors, provisions of applicable law, or otherwise, both as to action or omission in the Indemnitee’s official capacity and as to action or omission in another capacity on behalf of the Company while holding such office.

 

14. Contribution. To the fullest extent permissible under applicable law, if the indemnification provided for in this Agreement is unavailable to Indemnitee for any reason whatsoever, the Company, in lieu of indemnifying Indemnitee, shall contribute to the amount incurred by Indemnitee, whether for judgments, fines, penalties, excise taxes, amounts paid or to be paid in settlement and/or for Expenses, in connection with any claim relating to an indemnifiable event under this Agreement, in such proportion as is deemed fair and reasonable in light of all of the circumstances of such Proceeding in order to reflect (i) the relative benefits received by the Company and Indemnitee as a result of the event(s) and/or transaction(s) giving rise to such Proceeding; and/or (ii) the relative fault of the Company (and its directors, officers, employees and agents) and Indemnitee in connection with such event(s) and/or transaction(s). The relative fault of the Company on the one hand and of the Indemnitee on the other hand shall be determined by reference to, among other things, the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent the circumstances resulting in such judgments, fines, penalties, excise taxes, amounts paid or to be paid in settlement and/or for Expenses. The Company agrees that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 14 were determined by pro rata allocation or any other method of allocation which does not take account of the foregoing equitable considerations.

 

15. Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the documents referred to herein constitute the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the matters covered hereby, and any other prior or contemporaneous oral or written understandings or agreements with respect to the matters covered hereby are superseded by this Agreement, provided that this Agreement is a supplement to and in furtherance of the Articles and applicable law, and shall not be deemed a substitute therefor, nor to diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee thereunder.

 

16. Amendment. This Agreement may not be modified or amended except by a written instrument executed by or on behalf of each of the parties hereto.  No amendment, alteration or repeal of this Agreement or of any provision hereof shall limit, restrict or reduce any right of Indemnitee under this Agreement in respect of any act or omission, or any event occurring, prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal. To the extent that a change in applicable law, whether by statute or judicial decision limits rights with respect to indemnification, contribution or advancement of Expenses, it is the intent of the parties hereto that the rights with respect to indemnification, contribution or advancement of Expenses in effect prior to such change shall remain in full force and effect to the extent permitted by applicable law.

 

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17. Waivers. The observance of any term of this Agreement may be waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively or prospectively) by the party entitled to enforce such term only by a writing signed by the party against which such waiver is to be asserted. Unless otherwise expressly provided herein, no delay on the part of any party hereto in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any waiver on the part of any party hereto of any right, power or privilege hereunder operate as a waiver of any other right, power or privilege hereunder nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege hereunder.

 

18. Assignment; Successors and Assigns. Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights or obligations hereunder may be assigned by either party thereto without the prior written consent of the other party, except that the Company may, without such consent, assign all such rights and obligations to a successor in interest to the Company which assumes all obligations of the Company under this Agreement in a written agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Indemnitee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by and against the parties hereto and the Company’s successors (including any direct or indirect successor by purchase, merger, consolidation, or otherwise to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company) and assigns, as well as the Indemnitee’s spouses, heirs, and personal and legal representatives.

 

19. Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing (which may be by facsimile transmission or email). All such notices, requests and other communications shall be deemed received on the date of receipt by the recipient thereof if received prior to 5:00 p.m. in the place of receipt and such day is a business day in the place of receipt. Otherwise, any such notice, request or communication shall be deemed not to have been received until the next succeeding business day in the place of receipt. The address for notice to a party is as shown on the signature page of this Agreement, or such other address as any party shall have given by written notice to the other party as provided above.

 

20. Subrogation. In the event of payment under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of the Indemnitee, who shall execute all documents required and shall do all acts that may be necessary to secure such rights and to enable the Company effectively to bring suit to enforce such rights.

 

21. Severability. If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement (including each portion of any Section of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and shall remain enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law; (b) such provision or provisions shall be deemed reformed to the extent necessary to conform to applicable law and to give the maximum effect to the intent of the parties hereto; and (c) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement (including each portion of any Section of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested thereby. To the extent required, any section, sentence, term or provision of this Agreement may be modified by a court of competent jurisdiction to preserve its validity and to provide the Indemnitee with the broadest possible indemnification permitted under applicable law. The Company’s inability, pursuant to a court order or decision, to perform its obligations under this Agreement shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement.

 

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22. Governing Law. This Agreement and the legal relations among the parties shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York, without regard to its conflict of laws rules.

 

23. Consent to Jurisdiction. The Company and Indemnitee hereby irrevocably and unconditionally (i) agree that any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be brought only in any state or United States federal court located in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York, New York (each a “New York Court”), and not in any other state or federal court in the United States of America or any court in any other country, (ii) consent to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the New York Court for purposes of any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement, (iii) waive any objection to the laying of venue of any such action or proceeding in the New York Court, and (iv) waive, and agree not to plead or to make, any claim that any such action or proceeding brought in the New York Court has been brought in an improper or inconvenient forum.

 

24. Headings. The Section headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only, and shall not be deemed to alter or affect the meaning or interpretation of any provisions hereof.

 

25. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same Agreement. Only one such counterpart signed by the party against whom enforceability is sought needs to be produced to evidence the existence of this Agreement.

 

26. Use of Certain Terms. As used in this Agreement, the words “herein,” “hereof,” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular paragraph, subparagraph, section, subsection, or other subdivision. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun used in this Agreement shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms, and the singular form of nouns, pronouns and verbs shall include the plural and vice versa.

 

9

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered to be effective as of the date first above written.

 

  LZ Technology Holdings Limited
   
  By:  
    Name:
    Title:
   
  Address:
  Facsimile:
  Email:
   
   
  INDEMNITEE
   
   
  Name:
  Address:
  Facsimile:
  Email:

 

Signature Page to Indemnification Agreement

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.2

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

This Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”), dated as of [MONTH, DATE], 2023 (the “Effective Date”), is entered between LZ Technology Holdings Limited, an exempted company incorporated and existing under the laws of the Cayman Islands (the “Company”) and _________ (the “Executive”).

 

WHEREAS, the Company and the Executive wish to enter into an employment agreement whereby the Executive will be employed by the Company in accordance with the terms and conditions stated below;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual promises set forth herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE 1
EMPLOYMENT, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

 

Section 1.01. Employment. The Executive shall serve as the [TITLE] of the Company. The Executive hereby accepts such employment and agrees to devote substantially all of the Executive’s time and efforts to promoting the interests of the Company.

 

Section 1.02. Duties and Responsibilities. Subject to the supervision of and direction by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”), the Executive shall perform such duties as are similar in nature to those duties and services customarily associated with the positions set forth above.

 

Section 1.03. Base of Operation. The Executive’s principal base of operation for the performance of his or her duties and responsibilities under this Agreement shall be the offices of the Company in [Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province, China] and at such other places as shall from time to time be reasonably necessary to fulfill the Executive’s obligations hereunder.

 

ARTICLE 2
TERM

 

Section 2.01. Term. (a) The term of this Agreement (the “Term”) shall be specified in a separate agreement between the Executive and the Company’s designated subsidiary or affiliate entity (the “PRC Agreement”). The Term and this Agreement will be renewed automatically thereafter for successive one-year terms unless a one-month notice of non-renewal is given by one party to the other.

 

(b) The Executive represents and warrants to the Company that neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the performance of the Executive’s duties hereunder violates or will violate the provisions of any other agreement to which the Executive is a party or by which the Executive is bound.

 

(c) If the PRC Agreement is terminated pursuant to the terms therein, the employment between the Executive and the Company pursuant to this Agreement shall also be terminated unless otherwise mutually agreed by both parties.

 

 

 

ARTICLE 3
COMPENSATION AND EXPENSES

 

Section 3.01. Salary And Benefits. The Executive’s salary and benefits shall be determined by the Company and shall be specified in the PRC Agreement. The Executive’s salary shall be payable in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll practices, as established from time to time. Unless otherwise provided in such separate agreement, the Executive’s salary and benefits are subject to annual review and adjustment by the Company.

 

Section 3.02 Expenses. The Company will reimburse the Executive for reasonable documented business-related expenses incurred by the Executive in connection with the performance of the Executive’s duties hereunder during the Term, subject, however, to the Company’s policies relating to business-related expenses as in effect from time to time during the Term.

 

Section 3.03. Equity Incentive Plan. The Executive shall be entitled to participate during the Term in any long-term compensation program as may be authorized and adopted from time to time by the Board, including any equity incentive plan the Company, subject to the terms and provisions of such plans and the execution of the award agreements between the Company and the Executive.

 

Section 3.04 Payer of Compensation. All compensation, salary, benefits and remuneration in this Agreement may be paid by the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliated entities, as decided by the Company in its sole discretion.

 

ARTICLE 4
EXCLUSIVITY, NON-COMPETE, ETC.

 

Section 4.01. Exclusivity. The Executive agrees to perform his or her duties, responsibilities and obligations hereunder efficiently and to the best of his or her ability. The Executive agrees to devote substantially all of his or her working time, care and attention and best efforts to such duties, responsibilities and obligations throughout the Term. The Executive agrees that all of his or her activities as an employee of the Company shall be in conformity with all present and future policies, rules and regulations and directions of the Company not inconsistent with this Agreement.

 

Section 4.02. Intellectual Property. The Executive agrees that Intellectual Property under this Agreement is the sole and exclusive property of the Company and further agrees to assign to the Company the ownership of all right, title and interest in Intellectual Property, including any Intellectual Property conceived, created, and otherwise obtained by the Executive (i) during the Term of this Agreement relating to the work he performs within the scope of such Executive’s employment with the Company, (ii) within twelve (12) months after the Executive retires or ends employment with the Company under the circumstances that such Intellectual Property relates to such Executive’s employment scope with the Company, and (iii) by using the resources of the Company during the Term of this Agreement. During the Executive’s employment with the Company and within twelve (12) months after his or her employment with the Company terminates, the Executive has the obligation to inform the Company of any Intellectual Property within ten days of its creation and the Executive has the obligation to assist the Company in its patent, copyright or trademark application related to the Intellectual Property.

 

“Intellectual Property” under this Section 4.02 means any and all intellectual property in any form or stage of development, including but not limited to any idea, concept, design, invention, method, process, system, model, software, know-how and any other subject matter, material or information that qualifies and/or is considered by the Company to qualify for patent, copyright, trademark, trade secret, or any other protection under the laws of China or Cayman Islands providing or creating intellectual property rights.

 

Section 4.03. Non-Competition, Non-Solicitation and Confidentiality.

 

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(a) Non-competition. During the Term, the Executive will not, directly or indirectly, be employed or self-employed in, engage in or own or hold any interest in (whether as a principal, partner, director, employee, shareholder, agent, advisor or otherwise) any business that is in direct or indirect competition, or would compete, with any businesses conducted by the Company, its subsidiaries or affiliated entities (the “Group”) upon or prior to the termination of the employment of the Executive, provided, however, it shall not be a violation of this Section 4.03(a) for the Executive to become the registered or beneficial owner of up to five percent (5%) of any class of the capital stock of a publicly traded corporation in competition with the Group, provided that the Executive does not otherwise participate in the business of such corporation.

 

(b) Non-Solicitation; Non-Interference. During the Term and for twenty-four (24) months after his or her employment with the Company terminates for any reason, the Executive agrees that he or she will not, directly or indirectly, for the Executive’s benefit or for the benefit of any other person or entity, do any of the following: (i) approach the suppliers, clients, direct or end customers or contacts or other persons or entities introduced to the Executive in his or her capacity as a representative of the Group for the purpose of doing business of the same or of a similar nature to the business of the Group or doing business that will harm the business relationships of the Group with the foregoing persons or entities; (ii) solicit, encourage or assist other employees of the Group to seek employment with any business or organization in competition with the Group; or otherwise interfere with the business or accounts of the Group.

 

(c) Confidentiality. Throughout the course of the Executive’s employment with the Company and thereafter, the Executive shall keep in strict confidence all non-public information relating to the business, financial condition and other aspects of the Company, including but not limited to trade secrets, business methods, products, processes, procedures, development or experimental projects, plans, service providers, customers and users, intellectual property, information technology and any other information which is material to the Company’s business operations, and without the prior express written approval of the Company, may not disclose or provide to any person, firm, corporation or entity such non-public information, and may not use such non-public information for any purpose other than to fulfill his or her responsibilities as the [TITLE] in the best interest of the Company. The Executive shall also comply with the Company’s corporate policies and any other agreements on confidentiality that the Executive may enter into with the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliated entities. In the event that the Executive is required by law to disclose any confidential information of the Company, the Executive agrees to give the Company prompt advance written notice thereof and to provide the Company with reasonable assistance in obtaining an order to protect such confidential information from public disclosure. This provision and such other confidentiality policies and agreements are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Confidentiality Terms.

 

ARTICLE 5
TERMINATION AND INDEMNIFICATION

 

Section 5.01. Termination by Company. Unless otherwise provided in the PRC Agreement, the Company shall have the right to terminate the Executive’s employment at any time with or without “Cause” by giving a one-month advance notice in writing pursuant to the terms hereof. For purposes of this Agreement, unless otherwise provided in the PRC Agreement, in which case the PRC Agreement shall apply, “Cause” shall mean: (i) the Executive’s willful and continued failure to substantially perform his or her duties hereunder (other than as a result of total or partial incapacity due to physical or mental illness), (ii) dishonesty in the performance of the Executive’s duties hereunder, (iii) an act or acts on the Executive’s part constituting a felony under the laws of China, the Cayman Islands or of the United States or any state thereof, (iv) any other act or omission which is materially injurious to the financial condition or business reputation of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, or (v) the Executive’s breach of Section 4.03 hereof. For purposes of this Section, no act or failure to act, on the part of the Executive shall be deemed “willful” unless done, or omitted to be done, by the Executive not in good faith and without reasonable belief that the act or omission of the Executive was in the best interest of the Company.

 

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Section 5.02. Termination by Executive. Unless otherwise provided in the PRC Agreement, the Executive shall have the right to terminate this Agreement at any time by giving a one-month advance notice in writing pursuant to the terms hereof.

 

Section 5.03. Death. Unless otherwise provided in the PRC Agreement, in the event the Executive passes away during the Term, this Agreement shall automatically terminate, such termination to be effective on the date of the Executive’s death.

 

Section 5.04. Disability. Unless otherwise provided in the PRC Agreement, in the event that the Executive shall suffer any physical or mental impairment which, as reasonably determined by the Board, renders the Executive unable to perform the essential functions of his or her position at the Company, even with reasonable accommodation that does not impose an undue burden on the Company, for more than 180 days in any 12-month period, unless a longer period is required by applicable law, in which case that longer period shall apply, the Company shall have the right to terminate this Agreement, such termination to be effective upon the giving of notice thereof to the Executive in accordance with Section 6.02 hereof.

 

Section 5.05. Effect of Termination. Unless otherwise provided in the PRC Agreement, (a) in the event of termination of the Executive’s employment, whether before or after the Term, by either party for any reason, or by reason of the Executive’s death or disability, the Company shall pay to the Executive (or his or her beneficiary in the event of his or her death) any base salary or other compensation earned but not paid to the Executive prior to the effective date of such termination. All other benefits due to the Executive following his or her termination of employment shall be determined in accordance with the plans, policies and practices of the Company; and (b) in the event of termination of the Executive’s employment by the Company other than for Cause, the Company shall pay to the Executive any additional amount as provided by applicable law.

 

ARTICLE 6
MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 6.01. Benefit Assignment; Assignment; Beneficiary. The Executive agrees that he or she will not transfer, sell, assign or otherwise dispose of (whether voluntarily, involuntarily or by operation of law) any rights or interests under this Agreement, and the rights of the Executive shall not be subject to any security interest or creditors’ claims. Any such transfer, assign or other disposal shall be invalid. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall prevent the Company from merging into or with any other company or selling all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or transfer this Agreement or any obligation under this Agreement. In the event of any change in the ownership interest or the control of the Company, the provisions of this Agreement shall continue to apply and shall be binding upon any successors. Notwithstanding and subject to the foregoing, this Agreement shall also inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the Executive and his or her personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees. If the Executive should die while any amount would still be payable to him or her hereunder if the Executive had continued to live, all such amounts shall be paid in accordance with the terms of this Agreement to the Executive’s beneficiary, devisee, legatee or other designee, or if there is no such designee, to the Executive’s estate.

 

Section 6.02. Notices. Any notice required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be sufficiently given if personally delivered or if sent by registered or certified mail, national overnight courier, or email. In the case of the Company, to the office or email account of the human resource department; and in the case of the Executive, to the address or email account appearing on the employment records of the Company, from time to time. Any notice given hereunder shall be deemed to have been given at the time of receipt thereof by the person to whom such notice is given.

 

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Section 6.03. Entire Agreement; Amendment. This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties hereto with respect to the terms and conditions of the Executive’s employment during the Term and supersedes any and all prior agreements and understandings, whether written or oral, between the parties hereto with respect to compensation due for services rendered hereunder. This Agreement may not be amended or revised unless by a written instrument executed by both of the parties hereto.

 

Section 6.04. Waiver. The waiver by either party of a breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a continuing waiver or as a consent to or waiver of any subsequent breach hereof. Any failure or delay to assert any right, remedy or power shall not be construed as a waiver of such right, remedy or power. All rights and remedies existing under this Agreement are cumulative to, and not exclusive of, any rights or remedies otherwise available.

 

Section 6.05. Headings. The article and section headings herein are for convenience of reference only, do not constitute a part of this Agreement and shall not be deemed to limit or affect any of the provisions hereof.

 

Section 6.06. Agreement To Take Actions. Each party hereto shall execute and deliver such documents, certificates, agreements and other instruments, and shall take such other actions, as may be reasonably necessary or desirable in order to perform his, her or its obligations under this Agreement or to effectuate the purposes hereof.

 

Section 6.07. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of China.

 

Section 6.08. Submission to Jurisdiction. The parties hereto agree to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of China in the event of any dispute, claim or matter arising from this Agreement.

 

Section 6.09. Survivorship. The respective rights and obligations of the parties hereunder shall survive any termination of this Agreement to the extent necessary to the intended preservation of such rights and obligations.

 

Section 6.10. Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision or provisions of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.

 

Section 6.11. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.

 

Section 6.12. Withholding. All payments to the Executive hereunder shall be subject to withholding to the extent required by applicable law.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has duly executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

  LZ Technology Holdings Limited
     
  By:                
    Name:
    Title:

 

  EXECUTIVE
   
   
  Name:                      
  Title:  

 

Signature Page to the Employment Agreement

 

 

6

 

Exhibit 10.3

 

联掌门户网络科技有限公司

 

业务合作协议

Business Cooperation Agreement

 

甲方:福建很多卡网络科技有限公司

Party A: Fujian Henduoka Network Technology Co.,Ltd

统一社会信用代码:***

USCI: ***

法定代表人:张宏伟

Legal representative: Hongwei Zhang

住所:福建省福州市晋安区南平东路98号稻田创业小镇A6号守望楼6416-1

LegalDomicile: Shouwang Building 6416-1, Qitian Chuangye Town A6, , No.98 Nanping East Road, Jin'an District, Fuzhou City, Fujian Province

 

乙方:联掌门户网络科技有限公司

Party B: Lianzhang Portal Network Technology Co.,Ltd

统一社会信用代码:***

USCI: ***

法定代表人:张安东

Legal representative: Andong Zhang

住所:无锡市新吴区金城东路333-1-1212

Legal Domicile: 333-1212 Jincheng East Road, Xinwu District, Wuxi City

 

鉴于:

Whereas:

 

甲方为在中国境内依法设立并有效存续的有限责任公司,主营业务为社区管理提供SAAS软件服务等;

 

1.Party A is established as a limited liability company that is existing within the territory of China according to the Chinese law, and its main business is to provide SAAS software services for community management;

 

乙方为在中国境内依法设立并有效存续的有限责任公司,有社区门禁设备资源,在中国境内拥有良好的小区物业合作关系。

 

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联掌门户网络科技有限公司

 

2.Party B is established as a limited liability company that is existing within the territory of China according to the Chinese law, which has community access control equipment resources, and has a good cooperative relationship with residential property management companies within the territory of China.

 

发挥甲、乙双方各自的专业及资源优势,在《中华人民共和国民法典》的规定基础上,经甲、乙双方以平等自愿、互惠互利、诚实守信、共同发展等原则进行协商,现双方就相关合作事宜达成如下约定,以资共同遵守。

 

On the basis of the provisions of the Civil Code of the People's Republic of China and through consultation between Party A and Party B on the principles of equality, voluntariness, mutual benefit, honesty, trustworthiness, and common development, both parties have reached the following agreement on relevant cooperation matters for both parties to comply.

 

合作期限

 

1.Term of the agreement

 

本协议项下的合作期限自 2023 年 1 月 1 日(“合作起始日”)起至 2025 年 12 月 31 日(“合作期限届满日”)止。本协议于合作期限届满日自动终止,如至合作期限届满日双方权利义务未履行完毕的,协议期限顺延至双方履行完毕。

 

1.1The term of cooperation under this Agreement shall commence on January 1st, 2023 ("Commencement Date of Cooperation") and end on December 31st, 2025 ("Expiration Date of Cooperation "). This agreement shall be automatically terminated on the expiration date of the cooperation period. If the rights and obligations of both parties have not been fulfilled by the expiration date of the cooperation, the agreement term shall be extended to the completion of the performance by both parties.

 

合作期限届满日前一个月,双方可协商续签事宜。

 

1.2One month before the expiration of cooperation, both parties may negotiate a renewal for this agreement.

 

合作事项

 

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联掌门户网络科技有限公司

 

2.Cooperation matters

 

2.1.1甲方为智能门禁物联SAAS软件的运营商,现受乙方委托,为乙方合作的社区物业提供SAAS软件对接使用服务。

 

2. 1. 1Party A is the operator of the SAAS software of the Internet of Things for intelligent access control, and is hereby entrusted by Party B to provide SAAS software services for residential properties that are currently cooperating with Party B.

 

2.1.2社区门禁管理SAAS软件在各个社区的具体使用名称由乙方会同社区物业确定。社区的基础数据由社区所有,乙方无权使用社区家庭基础数据。

 

2. 1. 2The specific names of the residential access control management SAAS software in each community shall be determined by Party B in consultation with the residential property manager. The raw data of the community is owned by the community, and Party B has no right to use the raw data of the community.

 

2.1.3乙方与社区物业签署协议后,将委托甲方为社区物业提供SAAS软件使用服务及后台管理系统,保证所提供的服务系统功能完好,甲方对SAAS软件的使用须给与相应的操作指导。

 

2. 1. 3After signing an agreement with the residential property management company, Party B shall entrust Party A to provide SAAS software services and management systems for the property, so as to ensure that the functions of the software service system provided are functioning properly, and Party A shall provide operational guidance to the use of the SAAS software provided.

 

2.1.4乙方为社区物业提供门禁硬件设备,甲方为该社区物业提供软件及后台管理系统。

 

2. 1. 4Party B shall provide access control hardware equipment for the residential property, and Party A shall provide software and management system for the residential property.

 

费用的结算

 

3.Settlement of expenses

 

甲方为乙方合作的社区物业所提供的SAAS软件应用服务,该部分费用由乙方按季度支付给甲方,每季度的服务费用的核算依据为:有效使用软件的社区数量*100元;乙方向社区收取的费用与甲方无关。

 

3.1.1For the SAAS software application service provided by Party A for the residential properties that cooperate with Party B, Party B shall pay fees to Party A on a quarterly basis for its use of the SAAS software service. The quarterly service fee is calculated as: the number of residential properties effectively using the software * 100 yuan. The fees charged by Party B to the residential properties have nothing to do with Party A.

 

乙方应自合作起始日起,于每季度5号前核算上一次季度实际费用后向甲方支付,甲方应根据乙方的要求就收到的款项向乙方开具符合法律法规要求的发票。

 

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联掌门户网络科技有限公司

 

3.1.2From the Commencement Date of Cooperation, Party B shall pay to Party A after calculating the actual expenses of the previous quarter before the 5th day of each quarter, and Party A shall issue invoices to Party B for the funds received in accordance with the requirements of laws and regulations.

 

3.1.3如上述对账、划款日期为中国境内法定节假日的,则相应对账、划款日期将顺延至法定节假日后的首个工作日。

 

3. 1. 3If the above-mentioned date of reconciliation and transfer is a statutory holiday within the territory of China, the corresponding date of reconciliation and transfer shall be postponed to the first working day after the statutory holiday.

 

3.1.4甲方指定账户信息为:

 

3.1.4The account information of Party A is:

 

开户行:***

Bank: ***

户名:福建很多卡网络科技有限公司

Account name: Fujian Henduoka Network Technology Co., Ltd

账号:***

Account No: ***

 

陈述与保证

 

4.REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

合作双方均是根据中国法律合法设立并有效存续的企业,根据其成立文件和所适用的法律,其享有一切必要的权力与权限签署、递交和履行本协议。

 

4.1Both parties are legally established and validly existing enterprises in accordance with the laws of China, and have all necessary power and authority to sign, submit and perform this Agreement in accordance with their establishment documents and applicable laws.

 

合作双方均具有法律规定的履行本协议项下合作事项的必备运营资质,且已就本协议项下合作内容的实施履行了法律规定的必要备案、登记、审核手续。

 

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4.2Both parties have the necessary operational qualifications for performing the cooperation matters under this Agreement as prescribed by law, and have performed the necessary filing, registration and examination procedures as required by law for the implementation of the cooperation under this Agreement.

 

本协议一经双方或其授权代表正式签署即构成对其有效、有约束力并可强制执行的法律文件。

 

4.3Once this Agreement is signed by both parties or their authorized representatives, it shall constitute a valid, binding, and enforceable legal document for both parties.

 

保密

 

5.Confidentiality

 

甲乙双方在洽谈、签署和履行本协议中所接触的对方的经营信息、知识产权、消费者隐私信息或其他任何信息、资料均负有保密义务,未经对方事先书面许可任何一方不得泄露给任何第三方或在本协议之外使用。

 

5.1Party A and Party B shall have the obligation to keep confidential the business information, intellectual property rights, consumer privacy information or any other information and materials of the other party that they contact in the negotiation, signing and performance of this Agreement, and neither party shall disclose confidential information to any third party or use them outside of this Agreement without the prior written permission of the other party.

 

乙方为甲方提供本协议项下服务,获得甲方相关业务信息均应予以严格保密,不得擅自泄露给任何与提供本协议项下服务无关的第三方,也不得利用其获悉的信息实施侵害甲方合法权益的行为。

 

5.2Party B shall strictly keep confidential the relevant business information obtained from Party A when providing services under this Agreement to Party A, and shall not disclose it to any third party unrelated to the provision of services under this Agreement without authorization, nor shall it use the information it has obtained to infringe upon the legitimate rights and interests of Party A.

 

保密义务在协议有效期间及终止后始终有效,不因本协议整体或部分无效、被撤销而失效。

 

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5.3The obligation of confidentiality shall remain valid during the validity period of the agreement and after its termination, and shall not be invalidated by the invalidity or revocation of this agreement in whole or in part.

 

禁止贿赂条款

 

6.Anti-Bribery Clause

 

乙方承诺不向甲方或其关联公司的工作人员赠送现金、有价券/卡、物品等,也不采用帐外暗中给予个人回扣或以其它任何方式给予甲方或其关联公司的工作人员好处或利益以及相关承诺,且发现甲方或其关联公司的工作人员有索贿、受贿线索等行为时,即时向甲方举报。

 

Party B promises not to give cash, coupons/cards, items, etc. to the staff of Party A or its affiliated companies, nor to give personal rebates secretly off the book or give benefits or interests to the staff of Party A or its affiliated companies in any way, and immediately reports to Party A when Party A or its affiliated company's staff members have accepted bribes.

 

违约责任

 

7.Liability for breach of contract

 

本协议项下任一方违背约定给对方造成损失的,违约方均应全额赔偿守约方所遭受的损失。

 

8.1If either party breaches this agreement and causes losses to the other party, the breaching party shall compensate the other party for the losses in full.

 

本协议所述之损失包括但不限于实际损失、滞纳金、罚款为解决争议而支付的公证费、律师代理费、诉讼费、财产保全费、鉴定费、差旅费等。本协议所述违约金及损失金额,守约方有权从应付给违约方的款项中直接扣除。

 

8.2The losses specified in this Agreement include but are not limited to actual losses, late fees, fines, notarization fees paid to settle disputes, attorney fees, litigation fees, property freeze fees, appraisal fees, travel expenses, etc. The obeying party shall have the right to directly deduct the amount of damages and losses specified in this Agreement from the amount payable to the defaulting party.

 

本协议项下的付款义务人未依约向收款方支付款项的,每延期一日,均应以未付款项为基数,以日万分之五为费率向收款方支付滞纳金,直至应付款项支付完毕之日止。

 

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8.3If the payer under this Agreement fails to pay the payee in accordance with this agreement, the payer shall pay a late fee to the payee on the basis of the unpaid amount and at the rate of 0.05% per day for each day of delay until the date of payment obligation is fulfilled.

 

争议解决

 

8.Dispute Resolution

 

本协议的签订、解释、执行及争议解决方式等,均适用中华人民共和国(不含港、澳、台地区)法律。

 

9.1The signing, interpretation, implementation and dispute settlement of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the People's Republic of China (excluding Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan).

 

因本协议的签订、解释、执行等发生的任何争议或纠纷,双方应友好协商解决;如协商无法解决,任何一方均可向本协议签订地(厦门市思明区)有管辖权的人民法院提起诉讼。

 

9.2Any dispute or dispute arising from the signing, interpretation and implementation of this Agreement shall be settled by both parties through friendly consultation; If no settlement can be reached through consultation, either party may bring a lawsuit to the people's court within jurisdiction of Xiamen city Siming district where this agreement is signed.

 

送达条款

 

9.Service Clause

 

甲乙双方在本协议列明之地址及联系方式视为双方的法定送达地址及联系方式,在履行本协议过程中双方往来之任何函件按照上述地址和联系方式一经签收即视为送达。如任一方地址或联系方式发生变化应提前十日书面通知对方。因地址或联系方式错误导致往来之任何函件等无法送达并签署,其法律责任由提供错误信息或未及时变更信息的一方承担。

 

10.1The address and contact information specified by both parties in this Agreement shall be deemed as the legal address and contact information of both parties, and any correspondence between both parties in the course of performing this Agreement shall be deemed to have been served upon signature and receipt of the above-mentioned address and contact information. If the address or contact information of either party changes, it shall notify the other party in writing ten days in advance. If any correspondence cannot be delivered and signed due to wrong address or contact information, the legal liability shall be borne by the party who provides wrong information or fails to change the information in time.

 

本协议项下的书面告知包括邮寄纸质文件、发送电子邮件等,但不包含微信、QQ聊天等方式。

 

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10.2Written notification under this agreement includes mailing paper documents and sending e-mails, but does not include WeChat, QQ chat and other means.

 

其他条款

 

10.Other provisions

 

如有未尽事宜,双方应另行签订书面补充协议,任何形式的口头协议均属无效。

 

11.1If there are matters not covered, both parties shall sign a separate written supplementary agreement, and any form of oral agreement shall be invalid.

 

本协议附件及补充协议是本协议不可分割的组成部分,与本协议正文具有同等法律效力。

 

11.2The annexes and supplementary agreements to this Agreement are integral parts of this Agreement and have the same legal effect as this Agreement.

 

本协议自甲乙双方签字盖章之日起生效。

 

11.3This agreement shall come into force as of the date of signature and seal by both parties.

 

本协议一式贰份,由甲乙双方各执壹份,具有同等法律效力。

 

11.4This agreement is made into two copies, one for each party, and has the same legal effect.

 

(以下无正文)

(No text below)

 

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(本页为《业务合作协议》签署页,无正文)

(This page is the signature page of the Business Cooperation Agreement, without text)

 

甲方:福建很多卡网络科技有限公司(盖章)

Party A: Fujian Henduoka Network Technology Co., Ltd. (seal)

法定代表人/授权代表

Legal representative/authorized representative

/s/ Hongwei Zhang

 

乙方:联掌门户网络科技有限公司(盖章)

Party B: Lianzhang Portal Network Technology Co., Ltd. (seal)

法定代表人/授权代表

Legal representative/authorized representative

/s/ Andong Zhang

 

协议签署日期:

Date of signing the agreement: January 1, 2023

协议签订地点:厦门市思明区

Place of signing the agreement: Siming District, Xiamen City

 

 

 

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Exhibit 10.4

 

福建很多卡网络科技有限公

 

平台服务协议

Platform Service Agreement

 

甲方:厦门无限主义网络科技有限公司

Party A: Xiamen Infinity Network Technology Co., Ltd

统一社会信用代码:***

USCI: ***

法定代表人:李博

Legal representative: Bo Li

住所:福建省厦门市思明区金山街道软件园二期望海路59号楼之二

Legal Domicile: Building 2, No. 59, Qianwanghai Road, Software Park 2, Jinshan Street, Siming District, Xiamen City, Fujian Province

 

乙方:福建很多卡网络科技有限公司

Party B: Fujian HenDuoka Network Technology Co., Ltd

统一社会信用代码:***

USCI: ***

法定代表人:张宏伟

Legal representative: Hongwei Zhang

住所:福建省福州市晋安区南平东路98号稻田创业小镇A6号守望楼6416-1

Legal Domicile: Shouwang Building 6416-1, Qitian Chuangye Town A6, No.98 Nanping East Road, Jin'an District, Fuzhou City, Fujian Province

 

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鉴于:

Whereas:

 

甲方为在中国境内依法设立并有效存续的有限责任公司,具有丰富的生活消费商户资源,其经营的“本地生活”业务,致力于签约商家的产品及活动推广,通过内容营销及团购促销,为签约商家带来商业收益。

 

1.Party A is established as a limited liability company that is existing within the territory of China in accordance to the Chinese law, which has rich resources of consumer product merchants. Party A’s "local life" business is committed to the promotion of products and commercial campaigns for contracted merchants, which generates income to the contracted merchants through content marketing and group purchase promotion.

 

乙方为在中国境内依法设立并有效存续的有限责任公司,主营网络与信息安全软件开发、软件开发、人工智能应用软件开发、信息技术咨询服务、大数据服务等业务。

 

2.Party B is established as a limited liability company that is existing within the territory of China according to the Chinese law. Party B mainly engages in network and information security software development, software development, artificial intelligence application software development, information technology consulting services, big data services, and other businesses.

 

为发挥甲、乙双方各自的业务及资源优势,在《中华人民共和国民法典》的规定基础上,经甲、乙双方以平等自愿、互惠互利、诚实守信、

共同发展等原则进行协商,现双方就相关合作事宜达成如下约定,以资共同遵守。

 

On the basis of the provisions of the Civil Code of the People's Republic of China and through consultation between Party A and Party B on the principles of equality, voluntariness, mutual benefit, honesty, trustworthiness, and common development, both parties have reached the following agreement on relevant cooperation matters for both parties to comply.

 

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合作期限

 

1.Term of the Agreement

 

本协议项下的合作期限自 2022 年 12 月 01 日(“合作起始日”)起至 2025年 11 月 30 日(“合作期限届满日”)止。本协议于合作期限届满日自动终止,如至合作期限届满日双方权利义务未履行完毕的,协议期限顺延至双方履行完毕。

 

1.1The term of cooperation under this Agreement shall commence on December 1st, 2022 ("Commencement Date of Cooperation") and end on November 30st, 2025 ("Expiration Date of Cooperation"). This agreement shall be automatically terminated on the expiration date of the cooperation. If the rights and obligations of both parties have not been fulfilled by the expiration date of the cooperation term, the agreement period shall be extended to the completion of the performance by both parties.

 

合作期限届满日前一个月,双方可协商续签事宜。

 

1.2One month before the expiration of cooperation, both parties may negotiate a renewal for this agreement.

 

合作事项

 

2.Cooperation matters

 

甲、乙双方一致同意,乙方利用其经营的圈享生活微信小程序、抖音来客商户端等平台(以下统称“平台”)为甲方本地生活业务的开展提供平台展示、技术服务以及款项代收付服务,具体为:

 

Party A and Party B agree that Party B shall provide display services on its platform, technical services, and payment services for Party A’s “local life” business through the Quanxiang WeChat mini-app and the merchant terminal for Douyin Laike that are operated by Party B (hereinafter referred to as the "platform"), and specifically:

 

平台展示服务

 

2.1Platform display services

 

甲方向乙方提供其本地生活业务签约商家的主体及上架产品信息,乙方根据甲方的要求及时上架签约商家的相关产品;

 

2.1.1  Party A shall provide Party B with information of local business contractors and related products, and Party B shall, in accordance with the requirements of Party A, timely display the products of the contracted merchants;

 

甲方根据所签约商家拟上架产品的特点及宣传需求,设计相应的签约商家展示页面及营销文案,由乙方上线发布;

 

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2.1.2  Party A shall, according to the characteristics and publicity needs of the products of contracted merchants, design corresponding display pages and marketing texts for the contracted merchants, which shall be published online for display by Party B;

 

乙方应根据甲方的要求,及时下线与甲方签约期满的商家产品信息,以及尚在签约期间内已停止销售的产品信息,避免对消费者造成误导;

 

2.1.3  Party B shall, in accordance with the requirements of Party A, timely take offline of product information for the merchants whose contracts with Party A have expired, as well as product information that has stopped selling during the contract period, so as to avoid misleading consumers;

 

乙方应根据甲方要求,在上架产品的展示界面明示该产品包括但不限于使用期限、价格、数量、使用规则、使用店铺、地点等关键信息,并明确告知平台消费者甲方就相应上架产品制定的退换货及退款规则。

 

2.1.4  Party B shall, at the request of Party A, clearly display key information of products on display page including but not limited to expiration date, price, quantity, precautions for use, product provider details, location, and other key information, and clearly inform the platform consumers of the return, replacement, and refund rules of Party A for the corresponding products on shelves.

 

乙方应在其持有平台的提醒平台消费者,乙方并非本地生活业务的运营主体,其仅为提供产品展示及产品代售的第三方技术平台,平台消费者因产品质量或产品内容所产生的任何争议,均应与甲方及/或其签约商家协商解决,均与乙方无关。

 

2.1.5  Party B shall remind platform consumers of the platform policy. Party B is not the operator of “local life business”, and it is only a third-party technical platform provider that provides product display and product consignment. Any dispute arising from product quality or product content, shall be settled through consultation between Party A and/or its contractors and the platform consumers, and shall have nothing to do with Party B.

 

技术服务

 

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2.2technical service

 

乙方应利用其技术资源及技能,确保甲方签约商家及其上架产品在合法合规的前提下获得稳定持续的展示;

 

2.2.1  Party B shall use its technical resources and skills to ensure the stable and continuous display of Party A's contracted merchants and their products, given that the contracted merchants and products are meeting relevant requirements and laws;

 

乙方应确保甲方签约商家及其上架产品在乙方持有平台的销售功能,于产品上架期间持续有效,避免出现失效链接、产品错挂等不利于上架产品正常销售的情形;

 

2.2.2  Party B shall ensure the sales functions of platform are available and continuously available for Party A's contracted merchants and their products during the display period, and shall avoid invalid links, wrong display of products and other circumstances that jeopardizing normal sale of products on the shelves;

 

乙方将设立相应的技术接口,实现平台消费者与甲方的售后服务对接,以便于甲方及/或其签约商家及时为平台消费者提供售后服务;

 

2.2.3  Party B shall set up corresponding technical interfaces to allow the after sales services of Party A be available for the platform consumers, so as to facilitate Party A and/or its contractors to provide after sales services to platform consumers in a timely manner;

 

乙方应定期对甲方签约商家及上架产品进行数据维护,并通过租赁第三方云服务器等合法方式,确保甲方签约商家及上架产品信息资源的存储安全;

 

2.2.4  Party B shall regularly maintain the data of Party A's contracted merchants and their products, and ensure the data storage security of Party A's contracted merchants and information of their products on shelves by leasing third-party cloud servers and other legal means;

 

乙方应通过技术措施,保障甲方签约商家及上架产品的信息安全,在合理范围内最大程度有效避免盗链、黑客入侵等情况发生;

 

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2.2.5  Party B shall, through technical measures, ensure the information security of Party A's contracted merchants and products on shelves, and effectively avoid link theft, hacker intrusion, and other negative situations to the greatest extent within a reasonable scope;

 

乙方应负责日常的网络维护、修复软件漏洞,以确保甲方及/或其签约商家需求的实现;

 

2.2.6  Party B shall be responsible for the daily network maintenance and repair of software vulnerabilities to ensure the realization of the needs of Party A and/or its contractors;

 

乙方将组织专业团队作为甲方的技术顾问,为甲方就互联网技术应用、数据库应用及维护等领域提供技术支持及专业指导。

 

2.2.7  Party B shall organize a professional team as Party A's technical consultant to provide Party A with technical support and professional guidance in areas of internet technology application, database application, and maintenance.

 

款项代收付服务

 

2.3Payment service

甲方同意,对于在乙方持有平台上架的甲方签约商家产品销售所得,由乙方通过与其签约的腾讯、支付宝或其他具有第三方支付机构牌照的主体实施款项收取;

 

2.3.1  Party A agrees that the proceeds from the sale of products by Party A's contracted merchants on the platform provided by Party B shall be collected by Party B through Tencent, Alipay, or other entities with third-party payment agency licenses;

 

若甲方与商家以预付结算的形式合作,则预付款由甲方支付给商家,当预付金额小于剩余结算金额时,抵扣掉预付款后剩余结算款,根据实际情况可转为2.3.1条的第三方代收代付形式或甲方自行支付。

 

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2.3.2  If Party A and the merchant cooperate in the form of advance payment, the advance payment shall be paid by Party A to the merchant. When the advance payment is less than the remaining settlement amount, the remaining settlement amount after deducting the advance payment may be transferred through the form of third-party collection and payment in Article 2.3.1 or paid by Party A itself base on the actual situation.

 

对于所收取的款项,乙方应在根据本协议第3条约定完成与甲方的费用结算后,将甲方应收部分依约划付至甲方账户;

 

2.3.3  For the amount collected, Party B shall transfer the receivable by Party A to Party A's account after completing the settlement with Party A in accordance with Article 3 of this Agreement;

 

乙方应确保其电子账户的合法有效及款项收付功能的持续有效,避免对甲方获取应收款项造成不利影响;

 

2.3.4  Party B shall ensure the legality and validity of its electronic account and the continuous validity of its payment function, so as to avoid adverse effects on Party A's collection of receivables;

 

如涉及平台消费者退款的,在经甲方同意后,由乙方向平台消费者退还相应款项。

 

2.3.5  If a refund for platform consumers is involved, Party B shall refund the corresponding amount to the platform consumers with the prior consent of Party A.

 

双方确认,乙方于本协议项下提供的平台及相关服务均为非独占服务,甲方及/或其签约商家可以就相关产品委托其他第三方平台提供服务。

 

2.4Both parties confirm that the platform and related services provided by Party B under this Agreement are non-exclusive services, and Party A and/or its contractors may entrust other third-party platforms to provide services for related products.

 

费用的结算

 

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3.Settlement of fees

 

3.1 双方一致同意,甲方按实际核销GMV的1.5%支付乙方的平台服务费,按月结算,双方约定2022年12月为过渡期,平台服务费自2023年1月1日起开始核算,于每月的【5】日(下称“核算日”)进行核算,具体为:

 

3.1Both parties agree that Party A shall pay Party B the platform service fee at 1.5% of the GMV that is actually verified, which shall be settled on a monthly basis. Both parties agree that December 2022 shall be the transitional period, and the platform service fee shall be calculated from January 1, 2023, and shall be calculated on [5th ] day of each month (hereinafter referred to as the "settlement date"), as follows:

 

乙方应于核算日向甲方提供上月的款项代收付明细,甲方自核算日起【5】个工作日内完成对相应明细的核对;

 

3.1.1  Party B shall provide Party A with the details of the collection and payment of funds in the previous month on the settlement date, and Party A shall complete the verification of corresponding details within [5] working days from the settlement date;

 

乙方每月应向甲方收取的平台服务费,以乙方当月向甲方发送的书面费用结算单所载金额为准;

 

3.1.2  The platform service fee that Party B shall collect from Party A every month shall be subject to the amount specified in the written fee settlement form sent by Party B to Party A in that month;

 

乙方应自甲方完成核算之日起【5】个工作日内,在扣除当月应收取的平台服务费后,剔除代付款项后将剩余资金划付至甲方的指定账户;

 

3.1.3  Party B shall, within [5] working days from the date of verification completion, after deducting platform service fee payable and payment on behalf of others in the current month, transfer the remaining funds to the designated account of Party A;

 

双方确认,上述金额含税且包含上述服务相关费用,因提供相应服务及款项划付所产生的相应税费,由双方各自按照相应法律、法规及政策文件的要求各自承担。

 

3.1Both parties confirm that the above amount includes taxes and related expenses for the above services, and the corresponding taxes and fees arising from the provision of corresponding services and transfer of funds shall be borne by both parties in accordance with the requirements of laws, regulations, and policy documents.

 

如上述对账、划款日期为中国境内法定节假日的,或因特殊情况无法于以上约定日期内完成的,双方可自行沟通调整当月对账结算日期。

 

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3.2If the above-mentioned verification and transfer date is a statutory holiday within the territory of China, or cannot be completed within the above-mentioned agreed date due to special circumstances, both parties may communicate and adjust the verification and settlement date of the current month.

 

乙方确认,乙方仅为甲方签约商家上架产品销售所得的款项代收方,其并非相应产品的销售者,不承担相应的销售责任,亦就销售所得除其应扣除的平台服务费外不享有任何权利,乙方非经甲方同意不得对前述款项实施任何处置(包括划转、抵销债务、设置权利负担等);如因乙方原因,导致前述款项被司法冻结、强制扣划的,乙方应就甲方因此遭受的损失承担全额赔偿责任。

 

3.3Party B confirms that Party B is only the agent for collecting the proceeds from sale of products by Party A's contracted merchants, and that Party B is not the seller of the corresponding products. Party B does not bear the corresponding sales responsibility, and does not enjoy any rights in respect of the proceeds from the sale except for the platform service fees that should be deducted from it. Without the consent of Party A, Party B shall not dispose of the above-mentioned funds (including transfer, offsetting debts, setting up encumbrances, etc.); If the above-mentioned funds are subject to judicial freezing or compulsory deduction due to Party B's reasons, Party B shall be liable for full compensation for the losses suffered by Party A.

 

甲方指定账户信息为:

 

3.4The account information of Party A is:

 

开户行:***

Bank: ***

户名:厦门无限主义网络科技有限公司

Account name: Xiamen Infinity Network Technology Co., Ltd

账号:***

Account No.: ***

 

乙方指定账户信息为:

 

3.5The account information of Party B is:

 

开户行:***

Bank: ***

户名:福建很多卡网络科技有限公司

Account name: Fujian Henduoka Network Technology Co., Ltd

账号:***

Account No.: ***

 

陈述与保证

 

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福建很多卡网络科技有限公

 

4.REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

合作双方均是根据中国法律合法设立并有效存续的企业,根据其成立文件和所适用的法律,其享有一切必要的权力与权限签署、递交和履行本协议。

 

4.1Both parties are legally established and validly existing enterprises in accordance with the laws of China, and have all necessary power and authority to sign, submit and perform this Agreement in accordance with their establishment documents and applicable laws.

 

合作双方均具有法律规定的履行本协议项下合作事项的必备运营资质,且已就本协议项下合作内容的实施履行了法律规定的必要备案、登记、审核手续。

 

4.2Both parties have the necessary operational qualifications for performing the cooperation matters under this Agreement as prescribed by law, and have performed the necessary filing, registration and examination procedures as required by law for the implementation of the cooperation under this Agreement.

 

本协议一经双方或其授权代表正式签署即构成对其有效、有约束力并可强制执行的法律文件。

 

4.3Once this Agreement is signed by both parties or their authorized representatives, it shall constitute a valid, binding and enforceable legal document for both parties.

 

保密

 

5.Confidentiality

 

甲乙双方在洽谈、签署和履行本协议中所接触的对方的经营信息、知识产权、消费者隐私信息或其他任何信息、资料均负有保密义务,未经对方事先书面许可任何一方不得泄露给任何第三方或在本协议之外使用。

 

5.1Party A and Party B shall have the obligation to keep confidential the business information, intellectual property rights, consumer privacy information or any other information and materials of the other party that they contact in the negotiation, signing and performance of this Agreement, and neither party shall disclose confidential information to any third party or use them outside of this Agreement without the prior written permission of the other party.

  

乙方为甲方提供本协议项下服务,获得甲方本地生活的相关业务信息均应予以严格保密,不得擅自泄露给任何与提供本协议项下服务无关的第三方,也不得利用其获悉的信息实施侵害甲方合法权益的行为。

 

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5.2Party B shall provide Party A with the services hereunder and obtain the relevant business information of Party A's local life in strict confidentiality, and shall not disclose it to any third party unrelated to the provision of services hereunder without authorization, nor shall it use the information it has obtained to infringe upon the legitimate rights and interests of Party A.

 

保密义务在协议有效期间及终止后始终有效,不因本协议整体或部分无效、被撤销而失效。

 

5.3The obligation of confidentiality shall remain valid during the validity period of the agreement and after its termination, and shall not be invalidated by the invalidity or revocation of this agreement in whole or in part.

 

平台的免责

 

6.Exceptions

 

不论在何种情况下,乙方均不对由于电力、网络、电脑、通讯或其他系统的故障、罢工(含内部罢工或劳工骚乱)、劳动争议、暴乱、起义、骚乱、生产力或生产资料不足、火灾、洪水、风暴、爆炸、战争、政府行为等不可抗力,国际、国内法院的命令或第三方的不作为而造成的不能服务或延迟服务承担责任。

 

6.1Under no circumstances shall Party B be liable to perform its services under conditions such as failure of power, failure of network, failure of computer, failure of communication or other systems, strikes (including internal strikes or labor disturbances), labor disputes, riots, insurrections, insufficient production inputs or means of production, fire, flood, storm, explosion, war, government orders, domestic or international court orders, or failure to perform by a third party.

 

本协议项下乙方将按“现状”和“可得到”的状态提供相应服务,乙方在此明确声明对服务不作任何明示或暗示的保证,包括但不限于对服务的可适用性、没有错误或疏漏、持续性、准确性、可靠性、适用于某一特定用途、满足服务商的任意需求。甲方在确认使用前,应充分考虑并慎重决策,一旦使用,甲方将须自行承担由此导致的各项风险和责任。

 

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6.2Party B shall provide the corresponding services under this Agreement in the status of "as is" and "available", and Party B hereby declares that it does not express or imply any guarantee on the services, including but not limited to the applicability of the services, the absence of errors or omissions, continuity, accuracy, reliability, suitability for a specific purpose, and satisfaction of any needs of the service provider. Before confirming the use, Party A shall fully consider and make prudent decisions. Once used, Party A shall bear all the risks and responsibilities arising therefrom by itself.

 

法律地位声明:乙方作为平台服务提供商,不对甲方与平台消费者的任何口头、书面陈述或承诺,发布的信息及交易行为的真实性、合法性、准确性、及时性、有效性等作任何明示或暗示的保证,亦不承担任何法律责任。若因甲方与平台消费者之间的交易行为引起的任何法律纠纷,包括但不限于投诉、起诉、举报及税赋等,均由参与交易的双方解决,与服务提供方无关。但是,甲方怠于履行义务时,乙方有权介入甲方与平台消费者间的争议,依据一般人的认知程度对该争议进行判断和处置,甲方应当予以执行。

 

6.3Legal status statement: As a platform service provider, Party B shall not make any express or implied guarantee of the authenticity, legality, accuracy, timeliness and effectiveness of any oral or written statement or commitment made by Party A and platform consumers, the information published and the transaction behavior, nor shall it bear any legal liability. Any legal dispute arising from the transaction between Party A and platform consumers, including but not limited to complaints, prosecutions, reports or taxations, shall be settled by parties involved in the transaction, and shall not be related to the service provider. However, when Party A neglects to perform its obligations, Party B shall have the right to intervene in the disputes between Party A and platform consumers, judge of the disputes according to the understanding of ordinary people, and Party A shall implement them.

 

不可抗力处理:如本协议履行期间,协议方任何一方遭受不可抗力,均应在遭受不可抗力后尽快通知对方,并于通知之日起15日内提供相关证明文件,不可抗力持续达到三十日的,任一方有权经通知对方提前终止本协议。因不可抗力原因而导致本协议中止、终止的,协议方均不须向对方承担违约责任。

 

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6.4Handling of force majeure: If either party suffers from force majeure during the performance of this Agreement, it shall notify the other party as soon as possible after suffering from the force majeure, and provide relevant supporting documents within 15 days from the date of notification. If the force majeure lasts for 30 days, either party shall have the right to terminate this Agreement in advance by notifying the other party. If this Agreement is suspended or terminated due to force majeure, neither party shall be liable to the other party for breach of contract.

 

禁止贿赂条款

 

7.Anti-Bribery Clause

 

乙方承诺不向甲方或其关联公司的工作人员赠送现金、有价券/卡、物品等,也不采用帐外暗中给予个人回扣或以其它任何方式给予甲方或其关联公司的工作人员好处或利益以及相关承诺,且发现甲方或其关联公司的工作人员有索贿、受贿线索等行为时,即时向甲方举报。

 

Party B promises not to give cash, coupons/cards, items, etc. to the staff of Party A or its affiliated companies, nor to give personal rebates secretly off the book or give benefits or interests to the staff of Party A or its affiliated companies and in any way, and immediately reports to Party A when Party A or its affiliated company's staff members have accepted bribes.

 

违约责任

 

8.Liability for breach of contract

 

本协议项下任一方违背约定给对方造成损失的,违约方均应全额赔偿守约方所遭受的损失。

 

8.1If either party breaches this agreement and causes losses to the other party, the breaching party shall compensate the other party for the losses in full.

 

本协议所述之损失包括但不限于实际损失、滞纳金、罚款为解决争议而支付的公证费、律师代理费、诉讼费、财产保全费、鉴定费、差旅费等。本协议所述违约金及损失金额,守约方有权从应付给违约方的款项中直接扣除。

 

8.2The losses specified in this Agreement include but are not limited to actual losses, late fees, fines, notarization fees paid to settle disputes, attorney fees, litigation fees, property freeze fees, appraisal fees, travel expenses, etc. The obeying party shall have the right to directly deduct the amount of damages and losses specified in this Agreement from the amount payable to the defaulting party.

 

本协议项下的付款义务人未依约向收款方支付款项的,每延期一日,均应以未付款项为基数,以日万分之五为费率向收款方支付滞纳金,直至应付款项支付完毕之日止。

 

8.3If the payer under this Agreement fails to pay the payee in accordance with this agreement, the payer shall pay a late fee to the payee on the basis of the unpaid amount and at the rate of 0.05% per day for each day of delay until the date of payment obligation is fulfilled.

 

争议解决

 

9.Dispute Resolution

 

本协议的签订、解释、执行及争议解决方式等,均适用中华人民共和国(不含港、澳、台地区)法律。

 

9.1The signing, interpretation, implementation and dispute settlement of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the People's Republic of China (excluding Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan).

 

因本协议的签订、解释、执行等发生的任何争议或纠纷,双方应友好协商解决;如协商无法解决,任何一方均可向本协议签订地(厦门市思明区)有管辖权的人民法院提起诉讼。

 

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9.2Any dispute or dispute arising from the signing, interpretation and implementation of this Agreement shall be settled by both parties through friendly consultation; If no settlement can be reached through consultation, either party may bring a lawsuit to the people's court within jurisdiction of Xiamen city Siming district where this agreement is signed.

 

送达条款

 

10.Service Clause

 

甲乙双方在本协议列明之地址及联系方式视为双方的法定送达地址及联系方式,在履行本协议过程中双方往来之任何函件按照上述地址和联系方式一经签收即视为送达。如任一方地址或联系方式发生变化应提前十日书面通知对方。因地址或联系方式错误导致往来之任何函件等无法送达并签署,其法律责任由提供错误信息或未及时变更信息的一方承担。

 

10.1  The address and contact information specified by both parties in this Agreement shall be deemed as the legal address and contact information of both parties, and any correspondence between both parties in the course of performing this Agreement shall be deemed to have been served upon signature and receipt of the above-mentioned address and contact information. If the address or contact information of either party changes, it shall notify the other party in writing ten days in advance. If any correspondence cannot be delivered and signed due to wrong address or contact information, the legal liability shall be borne by the party who provides wrong information or fails to change the information in time.

 

本协议项下的书面告知包括邮寄纸质文件、发送电子邮件等,但不包含微信、QQ聊天等方式。

 

10.2Written notification under this agreement includes mailing paper documents and sending e-mails, but does not include WeChat, QQ chat and other means.

 

其他条款

 

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11.Other provisions

 

如有未尽事宜,双方应另行签订书面补充协议,任何形式的口头协议均属无效。

 

11.1  If there are matters not covered, both parties shall sign a separate written supplementary agreement, and any form of oral agreement shall be invalid.

 

本协议附件及补充协议是本协议不可分割的组成部分,与本协议正文具有同等法律效力。

 

11.2  The annexes and supplementary agreements to this Agreement are integral parts of this Agreement and have the same legal effect as this Agreement.

 

本协议自甲乙双方签字盖章之日起生效。

 

11.3 This agreement shall come into force as of the date of signature and seal by both parties.

 

本协议一式贰份,由甲乙双方各执壹份,具有同等法律效力。

 

11.4 This agreement is made into two copies, one for each party, and has the same legal effect.

 

(以下无正文)

 

(No text below)

 

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(本页为《平台服务协议》签署页,无正文)

 

(This page is the signature page of the Platform Service Agreement, without text)

 

甲方:厦门无限主义网络科技有限公司(盖章)

 

Party A: Xiamen Infinity Network Technology Co., Ltd. (seal)

 

法定代表人/授权代表

 

Legal representative/authorized representative

 

/s/ Bo Li

 

乙方:福建很多卡网络科技有限公司(盖章)

 

Party B: Fujian HenDuoka Network Technology Co., Ltd. (seal)

 

法定代表人/授权代表

 

Legal representative/authorized representative

 

/s/ Hongwei Zhang

 

协议签署日期:

 

Date of signing the agreement: December 1, 2022

 

协议签订地点:厦门市思明区

 

Place of signing the agreement: Siming District, Xiamen City

 

 

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Exhibit 10.5

 

Strategic Cooperation Framework Agreement

 

Party A: Guangzhou Xie Lv Information Technology Co., Ltd.

Address: 203, Kezhu Road, Guangzhou High-tech Industrial Development Zone, Guangzhou

Legal Representative: Tang Bo

 

Party B: Xiamen LianZhang Culture Media Co., Ltd.

Address: Room 801, No. 59-2, Wanghai Road, Software Park Phase II, Siming District, Xiamen

Legal Representative: Zhang Andong

 

Through friendly negotiations between Party A and Party B, guided by the principles of equality, mutual benefit, and complementing each other’s strengths, a strategic cooperative relationship is established. Both parties, based on mutual benefit, unite their resources to form a long-term alliance for common development. They will exchange advertising resources to achieve a positive societal impact. Therefore, after amicable discussions, this Strategic Cooperation Framework Agreement is jointly reached.

 

Chapter 1: General Provisions

 

1.1.By establishing a close, long-term, and harmonious strategic partnership, both parties fully utilize their respective strengths. They exchange advertising resources, further enhance overall efficiency, reduce costs, and achieve resource collaboration, complementary advantages, and common development.

 

1.2.This cooperation agreement is a framework document, providing a fundamental agreement on the rights and obligations of both parties. Specific business agreements and contracts signed by Parties A and B shall be made in accordance with the principles established in this agreement.

 

1.3.Specific business matters under this framework of cooperation agreement shall be covered by separate business contracts. These contracts shall be executed in compliance with national laws and regulations and the business approval conditions and procedures of both parties. In cases of inconsistency between the provisions of this agreement and the business contract, the business contract shall prevail. Matters not covered in the business contract shall be governed by this agreement.

 

Chapter 2: Scope of Business Cooperation

 

3.1Party A possesses the “Hotel Travel Omni-Channel” media in the hotel scene. Through in-room television media and offline scene media with high-frequency and in-depth exposure of key words, it serves as a primary strategy for brand establishment. Diverse scene exposure is crucial for enhancing brand memorability.

 

3.2Party B is a startup enterprise seeking public listing and a renowned professional service provider in the field of smart community operations. It possesses sustainable capabilities in smart access control related software, hardware, and property services. Party B’s community advertisements utilize a dual-screen linkage approach both online and offline. Their media resources have a large scale, broad coverage, and high penetration. Leveraging the brand concentration explosion ability formed through scale coverage and volume effects, Party B consistently provides advertisers with more effective and precise advertising placements, thereby enhancing advertisers’ recognition of the company’s media value.

 

3.3Through the exchange of advertising resources, both parties mutually recommend advertising placement orders. By establishing a close, long-term, and harmonious strategic partnership and fully utilizing their respective strengths, both parties exchange advertising resources, achieving resource collaboration, complementary advantages, and common development.

 

 

 

 

Chapter 3: Cooperation Duration

 

3.1This framework agreement shall come into effect immediately upon the signing by both parties.

 

3.2Both parties are committed to establishing a long-term strategic cooperation relationship. If both parties deem it unnecessary or possible to cooperate, this agreement may be terminated by mutual agreement after consultation.

 

3.3In the event of the termination of this cooperation framework agreement, both parties agree to continue to fulfill the various project contracts signed during the cooperation period until the completion of such outstanding project contracts or until termination is mutually agreed upon by both contracting parties.

 

Chapter 4: Confidentiality Matters

 

4.1.Party A and Party B shall not disclose to any third party, without the consent of the other party, any government secrets or commercial secrets obtained during the cooperation process. However, this provision does not apply to disclosures required by laws, regulations, regulatory requirements, or by judicial, administrative, and other authorities, disclosures made to external professional consultants such as auditors and legal advisors hired, and disclosures as otherwise stipulated in this agreement.

 

Chapter 5: Miscellaneous Provisions

 

5.1.The communication addresses and contact information provided by both parties in this contract shall be deemed as the statutory delivery addresses and contact information for both parties. Any correspondence between the parties during the performance of this agreement sent to the above addresses and contact information shall be deemed as delivered once sent. If either party’s address or contact information changes, the other party should be notified in writing ten days in advance. Legal responsibility for any failure of delivery and signing of any correspondence due to incorrect or untimely change of address or contact information shall be borne by the party providing incorrect or untimely updated information.

 

5.2.Annexes and additional agreements to this contract constitute an integral part of this contract and have equal legal effect as this contract.

 

5.3.During the validity period of this agreement, neither party may arbitrarily make changes. Any changes must be mutually confirmed in writing by both parties to be valid. For matters not covered by this agreement, the parties may negotiate separately and sign additional agreements as annexes to this agreement.

 

5.4.This agreement is made in duplicate, with Party A holding one copy and Party B holding one copy. It shall come into effect from the date of stamping by both parties.

 

No text below

 

2

 

 

Party A: (Seal) Guangzhou Xie Lv Information Technology Co., Ltd.

Address:

Contact Information:

Signing Date: June 1, 2022

 

Party B: (Seal) Xiamen LianZhang Culture Media Co., Ltd.

Address:

Contact Information:

Signing Date: June 5, 2022

 

 

3

 

Exhibit 10.6

 

Advertising Placement Agreement

 

Party A: East Entertainment (Fujian) Culture Media Co., Ltd.

Legal Representative: Liu Dongman

Mailing Address: 30th Floor, Building 12, Xinglin Bay Operation Center, Jimei District, Xiamen City

 

Party B: LianZhang Media Co., Ltd.

Legal Representative: Zhang Andong

Mailing Address: 1212, 333-1 Jincheng East Road, Xinwu District, Wuxi City

 

Both Party A and Party B, based on the principles of equality, voluntariness, mutual benefit, honesty, and common development, and in accordance with the relevant laws and regulations of the People’s Republic of China, including the Civil Code of the People’s Republic of China and the Advertising Law of the People’s Republic of China, have reached the following terms through friendly negotiations regarding their advertising placement cooperation, for both parties to adhere to jointly.

 

1.Contract Period

 

The contract shall be effective from _____, 20_, to _____, 20_. The contract shall automatically terminate upon the expiration of this period. If the rights and obligations of both parties have not been fulfilled at the expiration of the contract period, the contract period shall be extended until both parties fulfill their obligations. One month before the expiration of the term, both parties shall negotiate separately for the renewal of the contract.

 

2.Collaboration Method

 

(1)Party B possesses community access control media resources with both online and offline dual-screen linkage capabilities. The resources have a large scale, broad coverage, and high penetration rate, making them an important offline traffic entry point that can continuously assist advertisers in precise targeting based on different consumer/advertiser consumption needs and brand preferences. When Party A or its clients place advertisements on Party B’s media resources, Party A shall pay the corresponding advertising placement fees to Party B.

 

(2)Party B is fully responsible for Party A’s advertising and promotional services and may subcontract or reassign based on its own situation. The pricing for subcontracting/reassigning is determined by Party B. However, Party B shall bear joint liability for the actions of the subcontractor and ensure that the advertising and promotional services for Party A or the specified brand advertisements are carried out as agreed by both parties.

 

(3)Party B is the overall planner for Party A or the specified advertising brand’s promotions and plays a leading role in the agreed-upon advertising placement matters. Party B takes the primary responsibility for this promotional activity and ensures the normal completion of advertising promotion for Party A or the specified advertising brand.

 

 

 

 

3.Placement Amount and Payment Method

 

  (1) The total advertising placement amount for this engagement is RMB_______ (in words: ______Yuan), including tax. The amount excluding tax is RMB______ (in words:______). The tax amount is RMB______ (in words:______ ). Please refer to the attached document for specific placement resources.

 

  (2) Settlement Method: Both parties will settle the advertising placement fees on a monthly basis, with the exact amount to be determined through mutual agreement. After the completion of the advertising placement, Party A must ensure full payment of all amounts within three months. [Party A prepays 30% of the total advertising placement fee, and the remainder will be settled on a monthly basis, with the exact amount to be determined through mutual agreement. After the completion of the advertising placement, Party A must ensure full payment of all amounts within six months.]

 

(3)Invoice Issuance: After receiving the payment from Party A, Party B will issue a value-added tax special invoice to Party A for the corresponding amount paid.

 

4.Rights and Obligations of Both Parties

 

(1)The advertising content shall be provided by Party A, and Party B has the right to review and approve the content material. If it does not comply with relevant legal provisions, Party B has the right to request Party A to make corrections within a specified period. If Party A refuses to make corrections or exceeds the correction period, Party B has the right to refuse the publication, and any resulting losses shall be borne by Party A.

 

(2)The advertising content provided by Party A must comply with relevant regulations concerning advertising in the country, ensuring the truthfulness and legality of the advertising content, and the right to use the content of the advertisement. Party A shall be responsible for compensating Party B for any economic losses caused due to Party A’s reasons.

 

(3)Party A shall provide documents related to the advertising content in accordance with the relevant regulations on advertising in the country, including but not limited to business licenses, trademark registration certificates, production permits, food circulation permits, etc. If Party A refuses or is unable to provide the corresponding documents or provides false documents, Party A shall be responsible for compensating Party B for any economic losses incurred.

 

(4)If, due to Party A’s reasons, the delay in performing its obligations as agreed upon by both parties results in a delay in advertising publication, Party A shall bear the consequences and losses and is obliged to compensate Party B for the losses caused.

 

(5)Party A guarantees that its advertising content will not infringe upon the legitimate rights of any third party, including but not limited to intellectual property rights, image rights, etc., and is obliged to compensate for any losses incurred when its advertising content infringes upon the rights of others.

 

(6)Party B guarantees to publish advertisements for Party A in accordance with the agreed terms and perform post-publication monitoring and supervision.

 

(7)Party A shall provide publication requirements, and Party B shall promptly publish after confirming the content of the visuals.

 

(8)If a delay in visual publication occurs due to either party’s reasons, after negotiation, the extension of the period can be agreed upon according to the contract.

 

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5.Breach of Contract Liability

 

If advertising is published incorrectly due to non-force majeure factors, such as not aligning with the dates and positions stipulated in the contract, Party A shall follow the standards of “one compensation for one error” and “one supplementation for one omission” for rescheduling the publication accordingly.

 

[Unless otherwise provided for herein, if either party breaches any term of this contract, or fails to perform their obligations under this contract, the non-breaching party shall have the right to terminate the contract immediately and require the breaching party to pay 10% of the total advertising placement fee as liquidated damages within 10 business days of termination. If the foregoing liquidated damages are not sufficient to cover all the losses sustained by the non-breaching party, the breaching party shall compensate the non-breaching party for the shortfall.]

 

6.Force Majeure

 

Force majeure refers to unforeseeable, unavoidable, and insurmountable objective circumstances, including but not limited to natural disasters, government actions, strikes, war, telecommunication signal interruptions by telecom operators, backend failures, account suspensions, telecommunications-related line disruptions, server failures, equipment upgrades, and replacements that render this contract unexecutable. In such cases, the execution may be temporarily suspended. Upon the relief of the force majeure event, the advertising placement under the agreement shall resume.

 

7.Confidentiality Agreement

 

(1)Both parties undertake to maintain confidentiality with regard to the contents of this agreement and any documents and information obtained from the other party during the discussion, signing, and execution of this agreement, which belong to the other party and cannot be acquired through public channels (including trade secrets, business plans, project materials and information, collaboration methods, collaboration content, allocation methods, financial information, technical information, operational information, and other commercial secrets). Without the consent of the disclosing party, the other party shall not disclose the entire or partial contents of such trade secrets to any third party or use such trade secrets for purposes other than those outlined in this agreement.

 

(2)Both parties agree not to allow third parties to access or disclose the aforementioned trade secrets and not to use the trade secrets for any purposes other than those defined in this contract. Both parties commit that this confidentiality obligation extends to their employees and affiliated companies. If either party or its employees or affiliated companies breaches this confidentiality obligation, that party shall be fully liable for any legal consequences.

 

(3)The confidentiality obligation remains effective during the term of this contract and after its termination, and it shall not be rendered invalid due to the overall or partial invalidity or revocation of other terms of this contract.

 

8.Dispute Resolution

 

(1)The signing, interpretation, execution, and dispute resolution of this contract shall be governed by the laws of the People’s Republic of China (excluding Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan).

 

(2)In the event of any dispute or disagreement arising from the signing, interpretation, or execution of this contract, the parties shall endeavor to resolve the dispute amicably through friendly negotiations. If negotiations fail to resolve the dispute, either party may bring the matter to the competent people’s court in the jurisdiction where the plaintiff is located.

 

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9.Other Agreements

 

(1)The communication addresses and contact information provided by both parties in this contract are considered the legal delivery addresses and contact information for both parties. Any correspondence between the parties during the performance of this agreement shall be deemed delivered once sent to the aforementioned addresses and contact information. If either party’s address or contact information changes, they shall provide written notice to the other party ten days in advance. Legal responsibility arising from the inability to deliver and sign any correspondence due to incorrect or untimely changes in the address or contact information shall be borne by the party providing incorrect or untimely information.

 

(2)The appendices and supplementary agreements to this contract are an integral part of this contract and have equal legal effect with this contract.

 

(3)During the term of this agreement, both parties shall not make arbitrary changes. Any changes must be confirmed in writing by both parties. For matters not covered in this agreement, both parties may negotiate separately and sign supplementary agreements as appendices to this agreement.

 

(4)This agreement is made in duplicate, with Party A holding one copy and Party B holding one copy, and it shall come into effect from the date of both parties’ sealing and signing.

 

No further content below

 

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Party A (Seal): East Entertainment (Fujian) Culture Media Co., Ltd.

 

 

 

 

 

Party B (Seal): LianZhang Media Co., Ltd.

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibits

Advertising Schedules

 

 

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Exhibit 10.7

 

Baidu Alliance Membership Registration Agreement -

Baidu Screen Integration Promotion and Cooperation Agreement

 

Party A: LianZhang Media Co., Ltd.

Legal Representative: Zhang Andong

Contact Address: 1212, 333-1 Jincheng East Road, Xinwu District, Wuxi City

Contact Person: Zhang Runzhe

Phone:

Email:

Bank:

Account Number:

 

Party B: Beijing Baidu Netcom Science Technology Co., Ltd.

Legal Representative: Liang Zhixiang

Contact Address: 2nd Floor, Baidu Building, No. 10 Shangdi Street, Haidian District, Beijing

Contact Person: Han Daopeng

Phone:

Inquiry Email:

 

The security mobile phone number serves as a proof of identity for the alliance member and holds significant functions such as resetting the password for the Baidu Alliance account, contacting Baidu customer service, and accessing the backend account. Any operation on the Baidu Alliance account using this security mobile phone number is considered an action by the alliance member. Party A guarantees that the mentioned security mobile phone number is the initial security mobile phone number for the Baidu Alliance account.

 

This agreement consists of the “Baidu Alliance Membership Registration Agreement” (referred to as the “Registration Agreement”) available at https://union.baidu.com/bqt/#/rules/baidu, and the “Baidu Screen Integration Promotion and Cooperation Agreement” within the “Baidu Alliance Membership Registration Agreement” (referred to as the “Promotion Cooperation Agreement”). The “Registration Agreement” and the “Promotion Cooperation Agreement” are collectively referred to as the “Agreement” in the following text. To adapt to changes in national laws, regulations, policies, and to provide a better service experience for Party A, the online agreement may be updated periodically. This agreement also includes any additional appendices that both parties may sign. In this agreement, “media/integrated screen media/member” refers to Party A, and “Baidu” refers to Party B.

 

Whereas:

 

Party A is a limited liability/limited company established and legally existing under the laws of China, with access to community access screens (terminals), hereinafter referred to as “Party A terminals.” Party A holds an account on Baidu Integrated Screen (http://union.baidu.com/jpssp/login) named “Integrated Screen Lianzhang Portal” with Resource ID: ****. In addition to the mentioned Resource ID, if there are new Resource IDs, they will also be governed by this contract. For any subsequent new Resource IDs, confirmation via email by both parties shall prevail.

 

 

 

 

Party B is a limited liability company established and legally existing under the laws of China, with a leading advantage in advertiser resources and internet technology.

 

Through friendly negotiation and in accordance with the requirements of the laws and regulations of the People’s Republic of China, and on the basis of equality, mutual benefit, and full voluntariness, both parties have reached a consensus on the relevant matters and mutually agree to abide by the following terms:

 

1.Definitions and Interpretations

 

Unless otherwise specified in the context of this contract, the following terms shall have the following specific meanings:

 

1.1 Chinese Laws: Any laws, regulations, rules, and binding policies currently in force or to be promulgated in the future in China.

 

1.2 Baidu Integrated Screen Advertising: Refers to the aggregation and empowerment of various offline screens, such as building elevator screens, smart home screens, and various outdoor lifestyle scene screens. It provides online and offline integrated marketing solutions and precise programmatic advertising for Baidu’s advertising clients. It involves the cooperative payment of advertising revenue to the integrated screen media.

 

1.3 Integrated Screen Media: A limited liability/share company established and legally existing under the laws of China, holding legal and valid business qualifications or authorizations related to the terminals cooperating with Baidu Integrated Screen. The Integrated Screen Media has the right to collaborate with Baidu for integrated screen advertising, and holds an officially activated account and resource slot ID on Baidu Integrated Screen.

 

1.4 API: Application Programming Interface, referring to the interface that allows applications to interact with the Baidu system.

 

1.5 API Cooperation Policy:

 

1.5.1 When media access the API, they agree to provide the parameters as required by Baidu’s API interface documentation. These parameters should comply with legal, authentic, credible, and complete technical rules, and adhere to honest, mutually beneficial, and confidential business rules. Baidu reserves the right to suspend or terminate cooperation for any violation of these rules. In case of severe consequences caused by the violation, Baidu reserves the right to seek compensation.

 

1.5.2 The regularity and completeness of media parameters are determined by the content of Baidu’s API interface documentation. If the media parameters are non-standard or incomplete, the media traffic cannot be accessed. If, due to the media, the parameters are not provided according to the requirements of the Baidu API documentation during field transmission, resulting in revenue loss, the media shall bear the responsibility.

 

1.5.3 Media must ensure the truthfulness and credibility of the parameters. Baidu will confirm this using technical means. If media needs to provide data evidence, they should actively cooperate by providing the data and methods for data verification.

 

1.5.4 After obtaining the Baidu API access credentials, the media must ensure their exclusivity and dedicated use. Exclusive means that the media cannot transfer the credentials or authorize third parties to use them without authorization. Otherwise, it will be considered a violation, and Baidu has the right to terminate the cooperation. In addition, Baidu has the right to stop payment of revenue for violations. Dedicated means that the media cannot use the credentials for purposes beyond the business scope as mutually agreed in writing. Otherwise, it will be considered a violation.

 

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1.6 Ad Impressions: Refers to the number of times an advertisement is displayed on the screens in the offline environment, not determined by the number of viewers or view counts. Estimated impressions refer to the impressions agreed upon for advertisers per contract. Actual impressions refer to the impressions provided to advertisers by the media after each contract.

 

1.7 Cost Per Mille (CPM): Refers to the average revenue of a thousand impressions for all advertising slots, not the revenue of a single advertising slot.

 

1.8 Estimated Revenue: Refers to the Baidu advertising service revenue generated by the real and effective impressions brought by the offline screens, as displayed in the Baidu Integrated Screen backend system accessed by the media. This data is based on Party B’s statistics.

 

1.9 Actual Payment Amount: The bill amount for the estimated revenue of the media after anti-cheating and breach of contract verification, minus the relevant costs of Baidu Integrated Screen and statutory taxes. This data is based on Baidu’s statistics.

 

1.10 Display Elements: Refers to the main and confirmed display elements required by the advertiser, including but not limited to the display medium, specific styles, display size, display duration, frequency, and intervals. However, this excludes any matters mutually negotiated and agreed in writing by Baidu and the media.

 

1.11 The dates referred to in this agreement are calendar days. Business days mentioned in this agreement refer to working days excluding statutory holidays in China. The month referred to in this agreement is the calendar month (natural month).

 

1.12 The headings in this agreement are for reference only and do not affect the meaning and interpretation of any part of this contract.

 

1.13 References to chapters, clauses, and paragraphs refer to the chapters, clauses, and paragraphs of this contract.

 

2.Basic Overview

 

2.1 Product Collaboration Approach: The media provides all advertising slots on offline screens for Baidu’s advertisers, including but not limited to new offline screens and advertising slots developed by the media in the future. If Baidu does not explicitly state non-cooperation, it falls within the scope of cooperation defined by this agreement.

 

2.2 The collaboration modes include the following:

 

(1) RTB Mode: Leveraging Baidu’s platform advantage, data capabilities, and AI capabilities, empower screens and deliver ads to various screens such as OTT, transportation, cinemas, and buildings through real-time bidding. This approach reaches consumers across multiple scenarios in their daily lives, achieving integration and precise targeting of offline advertising. The billing method is based on cost per mille (CPM).

 

(2) Contract Mode: Utilizing Baidu’s platform advantage, data capabilities, and AI capabilities, empower screens and deliver ads to various screens such as OTT, transportation, cinemas, and buildings through fixed placements or guaranteed impressions. This approach reaches consumers across multiple scenarios in their daily lives, achieving integration and precise targeting of offline advertising. Billing methods include CPM, CPT, and other billing methods adopted based on cooperation needs (other billing methods will be reflected in the Integrated Screen platform or through the signing of supplemental agreements).

 

(3) Other modes to be provided later will be explained through platform functionality and notifications.

 

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2.3 The collaboration period of this agreement is from____, 20__, to ____, 20__. If the media wishes to terminate this collaboration, please immediately stop using Baidu Integrated Screen SSP system and Integrated Screen API, and related transmission interfaces. Continuing to use Baidu Integrated Screen SSP system or Integrated Screen API and related transmission interfaces will be deemed as continued collaboration with Baidu Integrated Screen.

 

3.Baidu’s Rights and Obligations

 

3.1 Baidu is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the technical codes related to the collaboration content.

 

3.2 Both parties acknowledge that the content provided by the promotional services (including but not limited to the qualifications of the advertiser, promotional materials, and supporting documents for promotional content) should be provided by the advertiser cooperating with Baidu. The advertiser is responsible for ensuring that the aforementioned content complies with the laws, regulations, and administrative rules of China. If the advertiser violates the above provisions, the media has the right to warn and request correction from the advertiser. If any party suffers damages as a result, they have the right to claim compensation from the advertiser.

 

3.3 After the agreement takes effect, Baidu will organize a dedicated team to ensure uninterrupted collaboration as agreed by both parties.

 

3.4 Under the RTB mode, Baidu provides the media with a transparent statistical system, including service codes and the ability to query daily ad impressions, CPM values, and income, enabling the media to access this information at any time.

 

3.5 Both parties understand that Baidu has the right to conduct anti-cheating checks on the source, authenticity, effectiveness, legality, and reasonableness of the media’s traffic. If Baidu determines that the media has engaged in actions that violate national laws and regulations, policy provisions, industry practices, mutual agreements, “Alliance Business Cooperation Standards,” or hinder Baidu from achieving the contract objectives and infringe upon the interests of Baidu, Baidu has the right to determine such actions as cheating. The media agrees to be determined and handled according to Baidu’s anti-cheating mechanism, including but not limited to account suspension, deduction of promotional income, and termination of cooperation for severe cases. Baidu will take all applicable civil or criminal remedies against fraud or other breach of contract. The anti-cheating determination is based on Baidu’s statistics and data.

 

3.6 Both parties agree that due to the protection of trade secrets, not all algorithms, formulas, logic, rules, etc., involved in Baidu’s anti-cheating mechanism can be fully disclosed to the media. Baidu will strictly abide by laws, regulations, and industry norms and make every effort to ensure the objectivity and fairness of the statistical results. After determining cheating, Baidu provides the media with ample channels for appeal and relief, based on the appeals and relief rules publicly disclosed by Baidu. The media should provide evidence to prove its innocence of cheating. If it cannot reasonably and sufficiently prove its innocence, Baidu has the right to determine that the media has engaged in cheating.

 

3.7 Baidu has the right to monitor and evaluate the quality and quantity of the media’s advertising on offline screens. If the quality or quantity does not meet the expectations of the collaboration, Baidu can issue warnings. Upon receiving a warning from Baidu, the media should make timely adjustments or terminate. If there is no significant improvement in the quality and quantity of the media’s advertising on offline screens, Baidu has the right to request the media to stop promoting through that channel and cease settlements for the valid traffic generated from that channel.

 

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3.8 Baidu reserves the right to adjust the public prices and service content of the services, including but not limited to adding or reducing service items, increasing or decreasing prices, etc. When making such adjustments, Baidu shall provide written notice to the media two weeks in advance. If the media has objections to the adjustments, they should notify Baidu in writing of their intent to terminate this contract within two weeks of receiving the notice from Baidu. If the right to terminate the contract as described above is not exercised within the stipulated time, the media agrees to the adjustments made by Baidu, and both parties will continue to execute this contract based on the adjusted collaboration content.

 

3.9 For the collaboration under this contract, Baidu may decide on its own to have its affiliated enterprises fulfill all or part of its obligations under this contract on behalf of Baidu, and this shall not be considered a breach by Baidu. Baidu’s affiliated enterprises refer to any individuals, partnerships, organizations, or entities related to Baidu in any way that directly or indirectly (through one or more intermediaries or contractual arrangements) control Baidu or are controlled by Baidu, or jointly controlled with Baidu. “Control” refers to the rights acquired through ownership of more than fifty percent (50%) of the absolute majority of equity, or ownership of less than fifty percent (50%) but still constitutes a relative majority of the equity, or through agreements, or through non-contractual means such as appointing directors, enabling dominant control or influencing others to dominate a party.

 

4.Media Rights and Responsibilities

 

4.1 The media shall ensure that their offline screens have the necessary legal operating qualifications according to the laws and regulations of the country. These screens should not be associated with illegal establishments such as gambling, pornography, violence, etc. The media shall not provide any content that violates laws, regulations, policies, or public moral standards, including but not limited to content that endangers national security, is obscene, false, illegal, defamatory, threatening, harassing, infringing on the legitimate rights of third parties, or violates public order and good morals. Failure to comply may result in termination of the provision of promotional codes by Baidu. In case this causes economic loss to Baidu, the media shall be liable for compensation.

 

4.2 The media shall warrant that the promotional traffic generated by their offline screens comes from legal, genuine, and valid sources, methods, channels, and quantities, in compliance with the provisions and objectives of this contract. The media shall provide valid proof to Baidu explaining the actual scenarios where the offline screens and promotional content reach end-users. Any violation of this provision by the media constitutes a fundamental breach. Baidu reserves the right to deduct the media’s promotional income and hold the media liable for all compensation if it incurs losses. Additionally, Baidu has the right to terminate this collaboration based on the severity of the media’s breach.

 

4.3 The media shall embed Baidu’s service’s technical code in the offline screens displaying the collaborative content and ensure the integrity of the service provided to advertisers.

 

4.4 After the contract takes effect, the media will arrange a dedicated team to oversee related work, ensuring uninterrupted collaboration as per the agreed terms.

 

4.5 The media cannot modify the functionalities and content provided by Baidu without obtaining Baidu’s consent.

 

4.6 The media is prohibited from transferring the functionalities and content used in the collaboration with Baidu to any third party and from engaging in any commercial activities using the functionalities and information provided by Baidu.

 

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4.7 The media has an obligation to vigorously promote the collaboration between both parties, aiming for the maximization of mutual benefits. The specific ways to achieve this will be determined through separate negotiations between the parties.

 

4.8 During the collaboration period, technical issues encountered, such as the technical code not displaying correctly, shall be resolved through mutual consultation.

 

4.9 The media guarantees that it has obtained the relevant administrative approvals required to conduct the collaboration under this contract. The media shall ensure that any data transmitted to Baidu, regardless of the method, is legal. If it involves personal information, the media shall ensure that they have obtained the users’ explicit and clear authorization in accordance with the law to engage in the collaboration under this contract.

 

4.10 The media shall ensure that the ad requests sent to Baidu, the available offline media, their promotional locations, and the provided display elements feedback, etc., are genuine, legal, and valid.

 

4.11 Under the contract model, the media shall provide a written report to Baidu within 3 days after the end of each contract. The report should include complete display elements and sufficient evidence. Baidu reserves the right to request additional evidence from the media within 90 days after the termination of the contract.

 

5.Income distribution

 

5.1 Both parties agree to settle the actual revenue generated through the display or clicks on the promoted content by media clients according to Baidu’s policies. Unless otherwise specified in this contract, each party shall bear the expenses incurred for the collaboration, such as development costs, themselves. The settlement method for promotional revenue in the Baidu Integrated Screen promotion service collaboration is as follows:

 

A. API Collaboration: The actual revenue generated through media’s collaboration via API will be settled based on various factors such as the quality of the media’s application content, nature of traffic, value to Baidu, collaboration form, and collaboration duration. The actual revenue will be settled based on the data published in the Baidu Integrated Screen backend. If the media has objections to Baidu’s promotional revenue policy, they can choose to terminate this contract. If the media continues to enjoy promotional revenue, it is considered that the media agrees to Baidu’s settlement policy. The media shall bear the applicable tax on the promotional revenue they receive.

 

B. Settlement Price/Settlement Ratio: The settlement price or settlement ratio should be chosen by the media based on the billing model confirmed by the system. If the media does not make a selection in the system, the settlement price or settlement ratio shall be agreed upon through a separate supplementary agreement with Baidu. Both Baidu and the media can negotiate a price adjustment once every half year/quarter (optional) based on market changes and the deepening of the collaboration. Any adjustments confirmed by both parties will be formalized through a supplementary agreement. The aforementioned supplementary agreement in this clause shall be signed by sending an email from the media’s account-bound email to the designated contact at Baidu. After mutual agreement is reached via email, the supplementary agreement is established and becomes effective.

 

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5.2 Settlement Timeframe and Data:

 

The media must complete the display and upload monitoring information for the advertisement order on Baidu Integrated Screen platform (http://jupingx.baidu.com/jpssp/) before the monthly settlement day displayed in the system backend. Both parties confirm that only when the media accurately and timely provides the aforementioned information, Baidu can settle the promotional revenue for that advertisement order with the media. Baidu’s settlement timeframe is before the 1st day of each calendar month (referred to as the reference date, with any legal holidays causing an extension). Within the settlement timeframe, Baidu will determine the promotional revenue for the media for the previous month based on the standards defined in 5.1. Once the promotional revenue for that month is determined, it cannot be adjusted arbitrarily unless the media provides irrefutable evidence from an accredited institution proving statistical data errors.

 

5.3 Payment of Advertising Revenue:

 

Financial settlement is conducted once a month: If the media has any objections regarding the advertising revenue, it should be submitted to Baidu in writing within 3 days of receiving the statistical data from Baidu. Failure to do so within the stipulated time will be considered as the media’s acceptance of the statistical data submitted by Baidu. If there are no objections to the statistical data, the media must provide the value-added tax special invoice for the previous month’s advertising revenue within the first 5 working days of each month. Upon receiving the invoice, Baidu will pay the media for the previous month’s advertising revenue by the 30th of each month (extended in case of public holidays) based on the ratio specified in Section 5.1 of this contract. It is mutually confirmed that if the media does not provide irrefutable evidence from a verification organization proving an error in Baidu’s statistical data, Baidu’s statistical data will be deemed accurate.

 

6.Declarations, Representations, and Warranties of Both Parties

 

6.1 They have the right to sign this contract and the ability to fulfill their obligations under this contract.

 

6.2 They are qualified to engage in the cooperation under this contract, and such cooperation is in line with the scope of their business.

 

6.3 The contract they have signed complies with the current effective laws and regulations, and does not infringe upon the legal rights of any third party.

 

6.4 Except as otherwise provided in this agreement, the signing of this agreement and the fulfillment of the terms stipulated in this contract will not result in a violation, cancellation, or termination of any terms and conditions of any agreements, commitments, or other formal documents, nor constitute a breach under any agreement, commitment, or other formal document. It will also not violate any laws or regulations or any judgments, rulings, or provisions of any court, regulatory body, or government organization that could significantly impact business operations.

 

6.5 Except for the work required under this agreement, without prior consent from the other party, neither party may use, copy, or use the other party’s trademarks, logos, commercial information, technology, and other materials.

 

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7.Intellectual Property

 

7.1 Both parties warrant that the content or technology provided by each party does not infringe on the intellectual property rights of any third party. Any fact or action contrary to this warranty will be deemed a breach. If one party infringes on the intellectual property rights (including but not limited to patents, copyrights) of a third party by using the content or technology provided by the other party, the breaching party shall compensate the other party in full and indemnify the other party for any and all expenses, fees, and losses that the other party may incur or be obligated to compensate for the infringement. The other party shall promptly notify the breaching party in writing of any claims made against the other party and any legal actions taken or threatened to be taken, allowing the breaching party to participate in any lawsuits at its own expense and all negotiations for the settlement of claims.

 

7.2 Unless otherwise agreed in writing by both parties, the intellectual property rights to the content and technology provided by each party for the collaboration project are owned by their respective original owners. Both parties acknowledge and agree that any provision of software, specifications, programs, and related technical support by one party to the other party does not constitute a transfer, license, or grant to the other party of any patents, copyrights, proprietary technology, trade secrets, or other intellectual property rights.

 

7.3 For jointly developed related technology results, both parties will jointly own the intellectual property rights to these technology results. Based on the understanding under this agreement, both parties will enter into separate agreements regarding the ownership of intellectual property rights for specific technology results.

 

8.Information Disclosure and Confidentiality

 

8.1 In the event of disputes or the need for relevant significant information disclosure during the collaboration, both parties shall actively seek mutual communication and strive for consensus. The disclosure, adoption, and expression of relevant significant information should obtain written permission from both parties.

 

8.2 Both parties shall consciously uphold each other’s brand value and interests in various fields.

 

8.3 Without the written permission of the other party, neither party shall disclose any content of this agreement’s terms, the signing and performance of this agreement, and any information obtained about the other party through the signing and performance of this agreement to any third party (excluding requests from relevant laws, regulations, or government departments).

 

8.4 This confidentiality provision remains valid regardless of the invalidity or termination of this contract. After the expiration of this agreement, the confidentiality obligations of the parties shall not terminate. The confidentiality obligation shall continue until the other party agrees to its release from this obligation, or when, in fact, the violation of the confidentiality obligation will not cause any form of harm to the other party.

 

9.Breach and Compensation

 

9.1 Any direct or indirect violation of any term of this agreement or failure to undertake the obligations under this agreement in a timely, complete, and sufficient manner constitutes a breach. The non-breaching party (“Non-breaching Party”) has the right to request the breaching party (“Breaching Party”) to rectify the breach through written notice, take effective and timely measures to eliminate the consequences of the breach, and compensate the Non-breaching Party for the losses suffered as a result of the breach. If the Breaching Party does not rectify the breach within fifteen working days after receiving the Non-breaching Party’s notice of the breach, the Non-breaching Party has the right to terminate this agreement upon written notice.

 

9.2 The losses that the Breaching Party shall compensate to the Non-breaching Party due to its breach include direct economic losses suffered by the Non-breaching Party as a result of the Breaching Party’s breach and any foreseeable indirect losses and other reasonable expenses, including but not limited to attorney’s fees, litigation and arbitration fees, financial expenses, and travel expenses.

 

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9.3 If the Media does not truthfully and completely provide promotion services to advertisers or modifies the functions and content provided by Baidu without Baidu’s consent, the Media shall handle the matter as per Baidu’s written notice within 5 working days from the date of receiving the notice.

 

9.4 If the Media fails to provide advertising publication-related services according to the agreed time, the number of offline media, and the agreed display elements, the Media shall compensate for the unfulfilled portion by 100%, or as per the compensation or refund stipulated in the appendix.

 

9.5 If the information provided by the Media to Baidu regarding display elements is not accurate, Baidu has the right to suspend or terminate the collaboration. The Media shall unconditionally rectify or compensate as per the notice within 10 working days from the date of receiving Baidu’s written notice.

 

10.Force Majeure

 

10.1 “Force Majeure” refers to unforeseeable (or foreseeable but unavoidable) events that occur during the term of this agreement, are beyond the control of either party, and make it impossible for any party to fully perform this contract, including but not limited to earthquakes, typhoons, fires, floods, wars, strikes, riots, hacker attacks, arbitrary technical controls by telecommunications authorities, or similar events.

 

10.2 In the event of force majeure, the obligations of both parties under this agreement shall be suspended within the scope and duration of the force majeure. The collaboration period may be extended accordingly based on the duration of the suspension, subject to mutual agreement. Neither party shall be held liable for this circumstance.

 

10.3 The party claiming to be affected by force majeure shall promptly notify the other party of the nature of the event, the date of occurrence, the expected duration, and any relevant details regarding the event’s hindrance to the notifying party’s performance of its obligations under this agreement using the fastest possible means. The party shall also provide a written certificate of force majeure confirmed by the relevant authorities and shall minimize the impact of force majeure to the best of its ability.

 

10.4 In the event of force majeure, both parties shall promptly negotiate solutions to address the situation. If the force majeure continues for more than thirty (30) days and significantly adversely affects the performance of this agreement, either party may terminate this agreement.

 

11.Miscellaneous

 

11.1 The effectiveness, interpretation, and enforcement of this agreement, as well as the resolution of disputes under this agreement, shall be governed by the laws of the People’s Republic of China.

 

11.2 In case of any dispute between the parties regarding the content or execution of this agreement, the parties shall first attempt amicable resolution through friendly negotiations. If the dispute cannot be resolved through negotiation, it shall be submitted to the People’s Court of Haidian District, Beijing, for resolution.

 

11.3 In the following circumstances, either party may terminate this agreement immediately upon providing a written notice of 15 days in advance, without assuming any breach of contract liability:

 

(1) The other party initiates liquidation, dissolution, voluntary or involuntary bankruptcy, or similar situations.

 

(2) The other party’s overdue debts amount to 50% of the company’s net assets, or the judicial authorities have accepted the bankruptcy liquidation proceedings for a period of 3 months.

 

9

 

 

(3) If the media makes adjustments according to the overall product plan that make it unable to continue to perform the contract, the media has the right to propose the termination of this cooperation. The media shall notify Baidu in writing 10 working days in advance of terminating this agreement. After confirmation by Baidu, this agreement shall terminate according to the contract.

 

11.4 Termination of this agreement for any reason does not relieve the parties of their obligations to comply with the confidentiality provisions set forth in Article 8 of this agreement.

 

11.5 Termination of this agreement in advance does not affect the right of the performing party to claim compensation for losses from the defaulting party.

 

11.6 The termination of this agreement does not affect any unsettled reconciliation, payment obligations of either party, or any obligations or rights arising prior to the termination date, except as otherwise provided in this agreement.

 

12.Appendices

 

12.1 Integrity of the Agreement. This agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties regarding the subject matter herein. Except as expressly provided in this agreement, there are no other understandings, representations, or warranties. If Baidu makes any modifications, supplements, etc., to this agreement, the media may confirm through logging into the Baidu Integrated Screen system. Once the media confirms, it is deemed to have accepted the modifications to this agreement.

 

12.2 Notification Method. The notification methods under this agreement are: Baidu will notify the media in advance through network announcements (address: http://jupingx.baidu.com/jpssp) and/or notifications within the Baidu Integrated Screen system and/or email and/or fax/phone and/or express mail. The media’s awareness of such changes will be based on the following dates: the third working day from the date of network announcement, the date of the email entering the media’s email account, the date of sending by fax, the date of receiving the call, or the third working day from the date of sending by express mail. In any case, when the media notifies Baidu, it shall use email and/or fax and/or express mail (when sending the notice, organizations shall affix the official seal, and individuals shall sign). Baidu’s date of awareness of the notice shall be based on the earliest date of awareness when multiple notification methods are used.

 

12.3 Neither party shall assign any or all of the rights and obligations arising from this agreement to any third party without the prior written consent of the other party, which shall not be legally effective.

 

12.4 Appendix I is an integral part of this contract and has the same legal effect as this agreement.

 

12.5 Due to business needs, both parties have signed this agreement. Both parties recognize that online agreements and online supplementary agreements have equal legal effect to this agreement. The terms of all the agreements mentioned above shall be based on the last signed agreement.

 

Party A: (Seal) LianZhang Media Co., Ltd.

Signature of Legal Representative/Authorized Representative: /s/ Zhang Runzhe

Date: Year Month Day

 

Party B: (Seal) Beijing Baidu Netcom Science Technology Co., Ltd.

Signature of Legal Representative/Authorized Representative: /s/ Han Daopeng

Date: Year Month Day

Appendix I: Determination of Breaches and Remedies Details

 

 

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Exhibit 21.1

 

List of Subsidiaries

 

Name   Jurisdiction of Incorporation   Percentage of Ownership
Dongrun Technology Holdings Limited   British Virgin Islands   100%
LZ Digital Technology Group Limited   Hong Kong   100%
Lianzhang Menhu (Zhejiang) Holding Co., Ltd.   PRC   100%
Lianzhang Portal Network Technology Co., Ltd (“Lianzhang Portal”)   PRC   93.70%
LianZhang Media Co., Ltd.   PRC   100% owned by Lianzhang Portal
Xiamen LianZhang Culture Media Co., Ltd.   PRC   100% owned by Lianzhang Portal
LianZhang New Community Construction Development (Jiangsu) Co., Ltd.   PRC   80% owned by Lianzhang Portal
Xiamen Lianzhanghui Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd.   PRC   100% owned by Lianzhang Portal
Xiamen Infinity Network Technology Co., Ltd.   PRC   100% owned by Lianzhang Portal
Xiamen Limited E-commerce Co., Ltd.   PRC   100% owned by Lianzhang Portal
Lianzhang Digital Technology (Xiamen) Co., Ltd. (“Lianzhang Digital Technology”)   PRC   100% owned by Lianzhang Portal
Lianzhang Life Services (Xiamen) Co., Ltd.   PRC   100% owned by Lianzhang Digital Technology
Lianzhang Digital Marketing Planning (Xiamen) Co., Ltd.   PRC   100% owned by Lianzhang Digital Technology
Live Well (Xiamen) Network Technology Co., Ltd.   PRC   70% owned by Lianzhang Life Services (Xiamen) Co., Ltd.
Taizhou Quanxiang Network Technology Co., Ltd.   PRC   51% owned by Xiamen Infinity Network Technology Co., Ltd.
Shanghai Lianxian Digital Technology Co., Ltd.   PRC   65% owned by Xiamen Limited
E-commerce Co., Ltd.

Exhibit 23.1

 

 

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm’s Consent

 

We consent to the inclusion in this Registration Statement of LZ Technology Holdings Limited on Form F-1 of our report dated August 18, 2023, except for Note 17 as to which the date is November 3, 2023, with respect to our audits of the consolidated financial statements of LZ Technology Holdings Limited as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 and for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, which report appears in the Prospectus, which is part of this Registration Statement. We also consent to the reference to our Firm under the heading “Experts” in such Prospectus.

 

/s/ Marcum Asia CPAs LLP

 

Marcum Asia CPAs LLP

Beijing, China

December 22, 2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BEIJING OFFICE • Units 06-09 • 46th Floor • China World Tower B • No. 1 Jian Guo Men Wai Avenue • Chaoyang District • Beijing • 100004

Phone 8610.8518.7992 • Fax 8610.8518.7993 • www.marcumasia.com

Exhibit 99.1

 

LZ TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LIMITED

Code of Ethics and Business Conduct

 

1. Introduction.

 

1.1  The Board of Directors of LZ TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LIMITED (together with its subsidiaries, the “Company”) has adopted this Code of Ethics and Business Conduct (this “Code”) in order to:

 

(a) promote honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest;

 

(b) promote full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that the Company files with, or submits to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and in other public communications made by the Company;

 

(c) promote compliance with applicable governmental laws, rules and regulations;

 

(d) deter wrongdoing; and

 

(e) ensure accountability for adherence to the Code.

 

1.2 All directors, officers and employees are required to be familiar with the Code, comply with its provisions and report any suspected violations as described below in Section 10.

 

2. Honest and Ethical Conduct.

 

2.1 The Company’s policy is to promote high standards of integrity by conducting its affairs honestly and ethically.

 

2.2 Each director, officer and employee must act with integrity and observe the highest ethical standards of business conduct in his or her dealings with the Company’s customers, suppliers, partners, service providers, competitors, employees and anyone else with whom he or she has contact in the course of performing his or her job.

 

3. Conflicts of Interest.

 

3.1 A conflict of interest occurs when an individual’s private interest (or the interest of a member of his or her family) interferes, or even appears to interfere, with the interests of the Company as a whole. A conflict of interest can arise when an employee, officer or director (or a member of his or her family) takes actions or has interests that may make it difficult to perform his or her work for the Company objectively and effectively. Conflicts of interest also arise when an employee, officer or director (or a member of his or her family) receives improper personal benefits as a result of his or her position in the Company.

 

 

 

 

3.2 Whether or not a conflict of interest exists or will exist can be unclear. Conflicts of interest should be avoided unless specifically authorized as described in Section 3.3.

 

3.3 Persons who have questions about a potential conflict of interest or who become aware of an actual or potential conflict should discuss the matter with, and seek a determination and prior authorization or approval from, their supervisor or the Compliance Officer. A supervisor may not authorize or approve conflict of interest matters or make determinations as to whether a problematic conflict of interest exists without first providing the Compliance Officer with a written description of the activity and seeking the Compliance Officer’s written approval. If the supervisor is himself involved in the potential or actual conflict, the matter should instead be discussed directly with the Compliance Officer. If the Company does not have a Compliance Officer, then references in this Code to Compliance Officer shall be deemed to be references to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer.

 

4. Compliance With Applicable Laws, Rules and Regulations.

 

4.1 Directors, officers and employees should comply, both in letter and spirit, with all applicable laws, rules and regulations in the cities, states and countries in which the Company operates.

 

4.2 Although not all directors, officers and employees are expected to know the details of all applicable laws, rules and regulations, it is important to know enough to determine when to seek advice from appropriate personnel. If any doubt exists about whether a course of action is lawful, they should seek advice immediately from their supervisor or the Compliance Officer.

 

4.3 No director, officer or employee may purchase or sell any Company securities while in possession of material non-public information regarding the Company, nor may any director, officer or employee purchase or sell another company’s securities while in possession of material non-public information regarding that company. It is against Company policies and illegal for any director, officer or employee to use material non-public information regarding the Company or any other company to (a) obtain profit for himself or herself; or (b) directly or indirectly “tip” others who might make an investment decision on the basis of that information.

 

5. Corporate Opportunities.

 

Directors, officers and employees are prohibited from taking for themselves opportunities that are discovered through the use of corporate property, information or position without the informed prior consent of the Board of Directors. They may not use corporate property or information obtained through their position with the Company for improper personal gain, and they may not compete with the Company directly or indirectly. Furthermore, each director, officer and employee owes a duty to the Company to advance its legitimate interests when such an opportunity arises.

 

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6. Discrimination and Harassment.

 

The Company is firmly committed to providing equal opportunity in all aspects of employment and will not tolerate any illegal discrimination or harassment based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, age, national origin or any other protected class.

 

7. Health and Safety.

 

7.1 The Company strives to provide employees with a safe and healthy work environment. Each employee has responsibility for maintaining a safe and healthy workplace for other employees by following environmental, safety and health rules and practices and reporting accidents, injuries and unsafe equipment, practices or conditions. Violence or threats of violence are not permitted.

 

7.2 Each employee is expected to perform his/her duty to the Company in a safe manner, free of any influence of alcohol, illegal drugs or other controlled substances. The use of illegal drugs or other controlled substances in the workplace is prohibited.

 

8. Company Records.

 

8.1 All Company records must be complete, accurate and reliable in all material respects. There is never an acceptable reason to make false or misleading entries. The Company requires honest and accurate recording and reporting of information in order to make responsible business decisions and to comply with the law. For example, employees who must report their hours worked should only report the true and actual number of hours worked (whether for purposes of individual pay or for purposes of reporting such information to customers). Undisclosed or unrecorded funds, payments or receipts are strictly prohibited. An employee is responsible for understanding and complying with the Company’s recordkeeping policy. An employee should contact the supervisor or the Compliance Officer if he/she has any questions regarding the recordkeeping policy.

 

8.2 All of the Company’s books, records, accounts and financial statements must be maintained in reasonable detail, must appropriately reflect the Company’s transactions and must conform both to applicable legal requirements and to the Company’s system of internal control.

 

9. Disclosure.

 

9.1 The Company’s periodic reports and other documents filed with the SEC, including all financial statements and other Company information, must comply with applicable federal securities laws and SEC rules.

 

9.2 Each director, officer and employee who contributes in any way to the preparation or verification of the Company’s financial statements and other Company information must ensure that the Company’s books, records and accounts are accurately maintained. Each director, officer and employee must cooperate fully with the Company’s accounting and internal audit departments, as well as the Company’s independent public accountants and counsel.

 

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9.3 Each director, officer and employee who is involved in the Company’s disclosure process must: (a) be familiar with and comply with the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures and its internal control over financial reporting; and (b) take all necessary steps to ensure that all filings with the SEC and all other public communications about the financial and business condition of the Company provide full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure.

 

10. Reporting and Enforcement.

 

10.1 Reporting and Investigation of Violations.

 

(a) Actions prohibited by this Code involving directors or executive officers must be reported to the Audit Committee, or the Board of Directors if no Audit Committee exists.

 

(b) Actions prohibited by this Code involving any other person must be reported to the reporting person’s supervisor or the Compliance Officer.

 

(c) After receiving a report of an alleged prohibited action, the Audit Committee, or the Board of Directors if no Audit Committee exists, the relevant supervisor or the Compliance Officer must promptly take all appropriate actions necessary to investigate.

 

(d) All directors, officers and employees are expected to cooperate in any internal investigation of misconduct.

 

10.2 Enforcement.

 

(a) The Company must ensure prompt and consistent action against violations of this Code.

 

(b) If, after investigating a report of an alleged prohibited action by a director or executive officer, the Audit Committee determines that a violation of this Code has occurred, the Audit Committee will report such determination to the full Board of Directors.

 

(c) If, after investigating a report of an alleged prohibited action by any other person, the relevant supervisor or the Compliance Officer determines that a violation of this Code has occurred, the supervisor or the Compliance Officer will report such determination to the Chief Executive Officer or the Board of Directors if the Company does not have a Compliance Officer.

 

(d) Upon receipt of a determination that there has been a violation of this Code, the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer will take such preventative or disciplinary action as it deems appropriate, including, but not limited to, reassignment, demotion, dismissal and, in the event of criminal conduct or other serious violations of the law, notification of appropriate governmental authorities.

 

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10.3 Waivers.

 

(a) Each of the Audit Committee (or the Board of Directors if no Audit Committee exists) (in the case of a violation by a director or executive officer) and the Chief Executive Officer (in the case of a violation by any other person) may, in its discretion, waive any violation of this Code subject to applicable national exchange rules and SEC regulations.

 

(b) Any waiver for a director or an executive officer shall be disclosed as required by SEC and any applicable national exchange rules.

 

10.4 Prohibition on Retaliation.

 

The Company does not tolerate acts of retaliation against any director, officer or employee who makes a good faith report of known or suspected acts of misconduct or other violations of this Code.

 

Adopted by the Board of Directors on December 22, 2023.

 

 

-5-

 

Exhibit 99.2

 

 

 

 

 

中国北京市朝阳区东三环中路5号财富金融中心12层

12F, Fortune Financial Center, No.5 Dongsanhuan Zhong Rd,

Chaoyang Dis, Beijing 100020, China

电话/Tel:(86-10)65028888

传真/Fax:(86-10)65028866

http://www.hylandslaw.com

 

December 22, 2023

 

To:LZ Technology Holdings Limited

Unit 311, Floor 3, No. 5999 Wuxing Avenue, Zhili
Town, Wuxing District, Huzhou City, Zhejiang
Province, People’s Republic of China

 

Dear Sirs and Madams,

 

We are qualified lawyers of the People’s Republic of China (the “PRC” which, for the purposes of this opinion, excludes the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Macau Special Administrative Region and Taiwan) and are qualified to issue this legal opinion on the laws and regulations of the PRC.

 

We have acted as the PRC legal counsel for LZ Technology Holdings Limited, an exempted company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands (the “Company”), in connection with (i) the initial public offering (the “Offering”) of a certain number of Class B ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Class B Ordinary Shares”) by the Company as set forth in the Company’s registration statement on Form F-1, including all amendments or supplements thereto (the “Registration Statement”), filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933,as amended (the “Securities Act”), in relation to the Offering, and (ii) the Company’s proposed listing of its Class B Ordinary Shares on the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC.

 

A. Documents and Assumptions

 

In rendering this opinion, we have reviewed and examined copies of the Registration Statement, originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction of the documents provided to us by the Company and the PRC Subsidiaries (as defined below), and other documents, corporate records and certificates issued by the Governmental Agencies (as defined below) as we have considered necessary or advisable for the purpose of rendering this opinion. Where certain facts were not independently established and verified by us, we have relied upon certificates or statements (either in written or oral) issued or made by competent national, provincial, or local governmental regulatory or administrative authority, agency or commission in the PRC having jurisdiction over the relevant PRC Subsidiaries (as defined below), the Company and appropriate representatives of the Company or PRC Subsidiaries.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In delivering this opinion, we have made the following assumptions:

 

(1)that any document submitted to us still exists, remains in full force and effect up to the date of this opinion and has not been revoked, amended, varied, cancelled, or superseded by some other document or agreement or action; and no revocation or termination has occurred, with respect to any of the documents after they were submitted to us for the purposes of this opinion;

 

(2)that all documents submitted to us as originals are authentic and as copies conform to their respective originals and that the signatures, seals and chops on the documents submitted to us are genuine, each signature on behalf of a party thereto is that of a person duly authorized by such party to execute the same;

 

(3)that all documents have been validly authorized, executed or delivered by all of the entities thereto and such entities to the documents have full power and authority to enter into, and have duly executed and delivered such documents;

 

(4)all requested documents have been provided to us and all factual statements made to us by the Company and the PRC Subsidiaries in connection with this opinion, including but not limited to the statements set forth in the documents, are true, correct, and complete;

 

(5)that all consents, licenses, permits, approvals, exemptions, or authorizations required of or by, and any required registrations or filings with, any governmental authority or regulatory body of any jurisdiction other than the PRC in connection with the transactions contemplated under all documents submitted to us are in full force and effect as of the date thereof;

 

(6)all explanations and interpretations provided by government officials duly reflect the official position of the relevant Governmental Agencies (as defined below) and are complete, true and correct; and

 

(7)all Governmental Authorizations (as defined below) and other official statements and documentation obtained by the Company or any PRC Subsidiaries from any Governmental Agency (as defined below) have been obtained by lawful means in due course, and the documents provided to us conform with those documents submitted to Governmental Agencies for such purposes.

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

This opinion is rendered on the basis of the PRC Laws effective as at the date hereof and there is no assurance that any of the PRC Laws will not be changed, amended, superseded or replaced in the immediate future or in the longer term with or without retroactive effect. The PRC Laws are subject to the discretion of the Governmental Agencies or the PRC courts of their interpretation and implementation.

 

In rendering the following opinions, we state that we are not admitted to practice in any country other than the PRC, and we express no opinion as to any laws other than the laws of the PRC. To the extent, the Registration Statement, or any other document referenced therein or herein, is governed by any law other than that of the PRC, we have assumed that no such other laws would affect the opinion stated herein.

 

B. Definitions

 

In addition to the terms defined in the context of this opinion, the following capitalized terms used in this opinion shall have the meanings ascribed to them as follows:

 

CSRC” means the China Securities Regulatory Commission.

 

Governmental Agencies” means any competent government authorities, agencies, courts, arbitration commissions, or regulatory bodies of the PRC or any province, autonomous region, city or other administrative division of the PRC.

 

Governmental Authorization” means any approval, certificate, consent, permit, authorizations, filings, registrations, qualification, exemptions, waivers, endorsement, annual inspections, permissions and license required by the PRC Laws to be obtained from any Governmental Agency.

 

PRC Laws” means all officially published and publicly available laws, regulations, rules, orders, decrees, guidelines, circulars, judicial interpretations of the Supreme People’s Court of the PRC, and subordinate legislations of the PRC currently in effect as of the date of this opinion;

 

M&A Rules” means the Provisions on Merging and Acquiring Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors, which was promulgated by six Governmental Agencies, namely, the Ministry of Commerce, the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, the State Administration for Taxation, the State Administration for Industry and Commerce, the CSRC, and the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, on August 8, 2006 and became effective on September 8, 2006, as amended by the Ministry of Commerce on June 22, 2009.

 

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Material Adverse Effect” means any event, circumstance, condition, occurrence or situation or new development or any combination of the foregoing that has or could be reasonably expected to have a material and adverse effect upon the position or conditions (financial or otherwise), assets, liabilities, business, general affairs, properties or results of operations, performance or prospects of the Company and the PRC Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

 

Overseas Listing Trial Measures” means the Trial Administrative Measures of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies, which was promulgated by the CSRC on February 13, 2023 and became effective on March 31, 2023.

 

PRC Subsidiaries” means the PRC subsidiaries, as listed in Annex A, as at the date thereof.

 

C. Opinions

 

Based on the foregoing and the qualifications, assumptions and limitations stated herein, we are of the opinions that on the date hereof:

 

(1)[M&A Rules] The M&A Rules among other things, purport to require an offshore special purpose vehicle controlled directly or indirectly by PRC companies or individuals and formed for purposes of overseas listing through acquisition of PRC domestic interests held by such PRC companies or individuals to obtain the approval of the CSRC prior to the listing and trading of such special purpose vehicle’s securities on an overseas stock exchange. Based on our understanding of current PRC Laws, a prior approval from the CSRC is not required in the context of this Offering and the Company’s proposed listing of its Class B Ordinary Shares on the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC.

 

(2)[Overseas Listing Trial Measures] On February 17, 2023, the CSRC issued the Trial Administrative Measures of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Enterprises, or the Trial Measures, which became effective on March 31, 2023. Under the Trial Measures, domestic companies conducting overseas securities offering and listing activities, either in direct or indirect form, shall complete filing procedures with the CSRC pursuant to the requirements of the Trial Measures. Since the Trial Measures have come into effect, under the currently effective PRC laws and regulations, the Company is required to make filings with the CSRC and should complete the filing before its listing on the Nasdaq.

 

(3)[Enforceability of Civil Procedures] The recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments are provided for under the PRC Civil Procedures Law. PRC courts may recognize and enforce foreign judgments in accordance with the requirements of PRC Civil Procedures Law based either on treaties between China and the jurisdiction where the judgment is made or on principles of reciprocity between jurisdictions. China does not have any treaties or other form of reciprocity with the United States or the Cayman Islands that provide for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments. In addition, according to the PRC Civil Procedures Law, courts in the PRC will not enforce a foreign judgment against a company or its directors and officers if they decide that the judgment violates the basic principles of PRC law or national sovereignty, security or public interest. As a result, it is uncertain whether and on what basis a PRC court would enforce a judgment rendered by a court in the United States or the Cayman Islands.

 

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(4)[Taxation] The statements made in the Registration Statement under the caption “Taxation— PRC Taxation”, with respect to the PRC tax laws and regulations or interpretations, are correct and accurate in all material respects. We do not express any opinion herein concerning any law other than PRC tax law.

 

(5)[Legal Proceedings] As of the date of this Opinion, the Company is not involved in any legal or administrative litigation that may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, balance sheet, operating performance, and cash flow.

 

(6)[Statements in the Registration Statement] To the best of our knowledge after due and reasonable inquiry, the statements in the Registration Statement under the captions “Prospectus Summary”, “Risk Factors”, “Use of Proceeds”, “Dividend Policy”, “Management’s Discussions and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”, “Corporate History and Structure”, “Business”, “Regulations”, “Related Party Transactions”, “Taxation”, and “Enforceability of Civil Liabilities”, insofar to the extent that such statements constitute PRC Laws matters or regulatory matters or describe or summarize PRC Laws matters or regulatory matters, are accurate and correct in all material respects, and nothing has been omitted from such statements in relation to the PRC Laws matters which would make the same misleading in any material respects.

 

D. Qualifications

 

Our opinions expressed above are subject to the following qualifications:

 

(1)the foregoing opinions are strictly limited to matters of the PRC Laws. We have not investigated, and we do not express or imply any opinion whatsoever with respect to the laws of any other jurisdiction, and we have assumed that no such other laws would affect the opinions stated above.

 

(2)we assume no responsibility to advise you of facts, circumstances, events or developments that may be brought to our attention in future and that may alter, affect or modify the opinions expressed herein. PRC Laws referred to herein are laws and regulations publicly available and currently in force on the date hereof and there is no guarantee that any of such laws and regulations, or the interpretation or enforcement thereof, will not be changed, amended or revoked in the future with or without retrospective effect.

 

(3)our opinions are subject to (i) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws in the PRC affecting creditors’ rights generally, and (ii) possible judicial or administrative actions or any PRC Laws affecting creditors’ rights.

 

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(4)our opinions are subject to the effects of (i) certain legal or statutory principles affecting the enforceability of contractual rights generally under the concepts of public interests, social ethics, national security, good faith, fair dealing, and applicable statutes of limitation; (ii) any circumstance in connection with the formulation, execution or performance of any legal documents that would be deemed materially mistaken, clearly unconscionable, fraudulent, coercionary or concealing illegal intentions with a lawful form; (iii) judicial discretion with respect to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief, remedies or defenses, or the calculation of damages; and (iv) the discretion of any competent PRC legislative, administrative or judicial bodies in exercising their authority in the PRC.

 

(5)this opinion is issued based on our understanding of PRC Laws. For matters not explicitly provided under PRC Laws, the interpretation, implementation and application of the specific requirements under PRC Laws, as well as their application to and effect on the legality, binding effect and enforceability of certain contracts, are subject to the final discretion of competent PRC legislative, administrative and judicial authorities. Under PRC Laws, foreign investment is restricted in certain industries. The interpretation and implementation of these laws and regulations, and their application to and effect on the legality, binding effect and enforceability of contracts, are subject to the discretion of the competent Governmental Agency.

 

(6)the term “enforceable” or “enforceability” as used in this opinion means that the obligations assumed by the relevant obligors under the relevant documents are of a type which the courts of the PRC may enforce. It does not mean that those obligations will necessarily be enforced in all circumstances in accordance with their respective terms and/or additional terms that may be imposed by the courts. As used in this opinion, the expression “to the best of our knowledge after due inquiries” or similar language with reference to matters of fact refers to the current, actual knowledge of the attorneys of us. We may rely, as to matters of fact (but not as to legal conclusions), to the extent we deem proper, on certificates and confirmations of responsible officers of the Company, the PRC Subsidiaries and Governmental Agencies.

 

(7)we have not undertaken any independent investigation, search or other verification action to determine the existence or absence of any fact or to prepare this opinion, and no inference as to our knowledge of the existence or absence of any fact should be drawn from our representation of the Company or the PRC Subsidiaries or the rendering of this opinion, except as stated herein.

 

(8)this opinion is rendered to the Company and is intended to be used in the context which is specifically referred to herein; each paragraph shall be construed as a whole and no part shall be extracted and referred to independently.

 

This opinion is delivered in our capacity as the Company’s PRC legal counsel solely for the purpose of the Registration Statement publicly submitted to the SEC on or after the date of this opinion and shall not be used for any other purpose without our prior written consent.

 

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We hereby consent to the use of this opinion in, and the filing hereof as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, and to the reference to our name on the cover page and under the captions “Prospectus Summary”, “Risk Factors”, “Taxation”, “Enforceability of Civil Liabilities”, and “Legal Matters” in the Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we come within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act, or the regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

Yours Sincerely,

 

Hylands Law Firm

 

/s/ Hylands Law Firm

 

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Annex A

List of the PRC Subsidiaries

 

No.   PRC Subsidiaries   Shareholders (% of Equity Interests)
1   Lianzhang Menhu (Zhejiang) Holding Co., Ltd.   LZ Digital Technology Group Limited. (100%)
2   Lianzhang Portal Network Technology Co., Ltd  

Lianzhang Menhu (Zhejiang) Holding Co., Ltd. (93.7022%);

Wuxi Jiangxi Technology Venture Capital Co., Ltd.(3.1489%);
Wuxi Xinqu Fin-tech Venture Capital Co., Ltd. (3.1489%)

3   Lianzhang Digital Technology (Xiamen) Co., Ltd.   Lianzhang Portal Network Technology Co., Ltd ( 100%)
4   Lianzhang Life Services (Xiamen) Co., Ltd.   Lianzhang Digital Technology (Xiamen) Co., Ltd. (100%)
5   Lianzhang Digital Marketing Planning (Xiamen) Co., Ltd.   Lianzhang Digital Technology (Xiamen) Co., Ltd. ( 100%)
6   Live Well (Xiamen) Network Technology Co., Ltd.   Lianzhang Life Services (Xiamen) Co., Ltd. ( 70%);
Xiang Changyu.( 30%)
7   LianZhang Media Co., Ltd.   Lianzhang Portal Network Technology Co., Ltd (100%)
8   Xiamen LianZhang Culture Media Co., Ltd.   Lianzhang Portal Network Technology Co., Ltd (100%)
9   Xiamen Lianzhanghui Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd.   Lianzhang Portal Network Technology Co., Ltd (100%)
10   Xiamen Infinity Network Technology Co., Ltd.   Lianzhang Portal Network Technology Co., Ltd (100%)
11   Taizhou Quanxiang Network Technology Co., Ltd.  

Xiamen Infinity Network Technology Co., Ltd. (51%);

Jiang Pan. (49%)

12   Xiamen Limited E-commerce Co., Ltd.   Lianzhang Portal Network Technology Co., Ltd (100%)
13   Shanghai Lianxian Digital Technology Co., Ltd.  

Xiamen Limited E-commerce Co., Ltd. (65%);

Bengbu Yigong Digital Technology Co., Ltd. (35%)

14   LianZhang New Community Construction Development (Jiangsu) Co., Ltd.  

Lianzhang Portal Network Technology Co., Ltd(80%);

Xiamen Zhanghui Investment Co., Ltd. (20%)

 

 

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Exhibit 99.3

 

CONSENT OF PERSON NAMED TO BECOME A DIRECTOR

 

Pursuant to Rule 438 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the undersigned hereby consents to being named as a director nominee and to the disclosure of the undersigned’s biographical information included in the Registration Statement on Form F-1, and any amendments thereto, to be filed by LZ Technology Holdings Limited with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The undersigned further consents to the filing of this consent as an exhibit to such Registration Statement.

 

  /s/ Chung Chi Ng
  Name:  Chung Chi Ng
  Date: December 22, 2023

 

 

Exhibit 99.4

 

CONSENT OF PERSON NAMED TO BECOME A DIRECTOR

 

Pursuant to Rule 438 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the undersigned hereby consents to being named as a director nominee and to the disclosure of the undersigned’s biographical information included in the Registration Statement on Form F-1, and any amendments thereto, to be filed by LZ Technology Holdings Limited with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The undersigned further consents to the filing of this consent as an exhibit to such Registration Statement.

 

  /s/ Qisheng You
  Name:  Qisheng You
  Date: December 22, 2023

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.5

 

CONSENT OF PERSON NAMED TO BECOME A DIRECTOR

 

Pursuant to Rule 438 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the undersigned hereby consents to being named as a director nominee and to the disclosure of the undersigned’s biographical information included in the Registration Statement on Form F-1, and any amendments thereto, to be filed by LZ Technology Holdings Limited with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The undersigned further consents to the filing of this consent as an exhibit to such Registration Statement.

 

  /s/ Li Zhang
  Name:  Li Zhang
  Date: December 22, 2023

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.6

 

LZ TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LIMITED

AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER

 

 

PURPOSE OF THE COMMITTEE

 

The purposes of the Audit Committee (the “Committee”) of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of LZ TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LIMITED (the “Company”) is to assist the Board in fulfilling its legal and fiduciary obligations with respect to matters involving the accounting, auditing, financial reporting, internal control and legal compliance functions of the Company, including, without limitation, the Board’s oversight responsibility relating to (i) the integrity of the Company’s financial statements, (ii) the Company’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, (iii) the Company’s independent auditors’ qualifications and independence, and (iv) the performance of the Company’s independent auditors and the Company’s internal audit function.

 

In fulfilling their responsibilities hereunder, it is recognized that members of the Committee are not full-time employees of the Company or members of management and are not, and do not represent themselves to be, accountants or auditors by profession. As such, it is not the duty or the responsibility of the Committee or its members to conduct “field work” or other types of auditing or accounting reviews or procedures to determine if the financial statements are complete and accurate and whether they have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in effect or to set auditor independence standards. Each member of the Committee shall be entitled to rely on (i) the integrity of those persons within and outside the Company and management from which it receives information, (ii) the accuracy of the financial and other information provided to the Committee absent actual knowledge to the contrary (which shall be promptly reported to the Board), and (iii) statements made by the officers and employees of the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliated entities or other third parties as to any information technology, internal audit and other non-audit services provided by the independent accountants to the Company. In carrying out its responsibilities, the Committee’s policies and procedures shall be adapted, as appropriate, to best react to changing markets and regulatory environments.

 

MEMBERSHIP, STRUCTURE AND QUALIFICATIONS

 

The Committee shall consist of three or more members as determined from time to time by the Board on the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Each member of the Committee shall be qualified to serve on the Committee pursuant to Rule 10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), applicable rules of the stock market on which the Company’s shares are trading (the “Stock Market”) and any additional requirements that the Board deems appropriate.

 

The chairperson of the Committee (the “Chairperson”) shall be designated by the Board. Any vacancy on the Committee shall be filled by the Board. No member of the Committee shall be removed except by the Board.

 

Each member of the Committee must be financially literate, as such qualification is interpreted by the Board in its business judgment, or must become financially literate within a reasonable period of time after his or her appointment to the Committee. In addition, at least one member of the Committee must be designated by the Board to be the “audit committee financial expert,” as defined in Item 16A of Form 20-F by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

 

 

 

 

MEETINGS OF THE COMMITTEE

 

The Committee shall meet as often as it determines is appropriate to carry out its duties and responsibilities under this charter, but not less frequently than quarterly. The Chairperson shall preside at each meeting and, in the absence of the Chairperson, one of the other members of the Committee shall be designated as the acting chair of the meeting. The Chairperson, in consultation with the other Committee members, shall determine the frequency and length of the Committee meetings and shall set meeting agendas consistent with this charter. The Committee, in its discretion, may ask members of management or others to attend its meetings (or portions thereof) and to provide pertinent information as necessary. The Committee should meet separately and periodically with (i) management, (ii) the person in charge of the Company’s internal auditing department or other personnel responsible for the internal audit function and (iii) the Company’s independent auditors, in each case to discuss any matters that the Committee or any of the above persons or firms believe warrant the Committee’s attention.

 

Unless the Committee or the Board adopts other procedures, the provisions of the Company’s memorandum and articles of association, as amended and restated from time to time, applicable to meetings of Board committees will govern meetings of the Committee.

 

The Committee shall maintain minutes of its meetings and records relating to those meetings and shall report regularly to the Board on its activities, as appropriate.

 

Subject to the provisions of the Company’s memorandum and articles of association, as amended and restated from time to time, the Committee may delegate its authority to subcommittees or the Chairperson of the Committee when it deems it appropriate and in the best interests of the Company.

 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COMMITTEE

 

In carrying out its duties and responsibilities, the Committee’s policies and procedures should remain flexible, so that it may be in a position to best address, react or respond to changing circumstances or conditions. The following duties and responsibilities are within the authority of the Committee and the Committee shall, consistent with and subject to applicable law and rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC, the Stock Market, or any other applicable regulatory authority:

 

Independent Auditors

 

(a) Be directly responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention, evaluation and oversight of the work of the independent auditors for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or performing other audit, review or attestation services for the Company. Such independent auditors must report directly to the Committee and the Committee has the ultimate authority to approve all audit engagement fees and terms, with the costs of all engagements borne by the Company.

 

(b) Pre-approve all auditing services and all non-audit services permitted to be performed by the independent auditors, and to consider whether the performance by the outside auditors of non-audit services is compatible with maintaining the independence of the outside auditors. Such pre-approval may be given as part of the Committee’s approval of the scope of the engagement of the independent auditors or on an engagement-by-engagement basis or pursuant to pre-established policies. In addition, the authority to pre-approve non-audit services may be delegated by the Committee to one or more of its members, but such member’s or members’ non-audit service approval decisions must be reported to the full Committee at the next regularly scheduled meeting. The Company shall disclose in its annual reports (and periodic reports, if any) required by Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act any approval of non-audit services during the period covered by the applicable report. The independent auditors shall not be retained to perform the non-audit functions prohibited by applicable law and the rules of the SEC;

 

(c) Review the performance of the Company’s independent auditors, including the lead partner and reviewing partner of the independent auditors, and, in its sole discretion, make decisions regarding the replacement or termination of the independent auditors when circumstances warrant;

 

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(d) Evaluate the independent auditors’ qualifications, performance and independence, and shall present its conclusions with the respect to the independent auditor to the Board on at least an annual basis. As part of such evaluation, the Committee shall obtain at least annually from the Company’s independent auditors and review a report:

 

 (i) describing the independent auditors’ internal quality-control procedures;
    
 (ii) describing any material issues raised by (i) the most recent internal quality-control review, peer review or Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”) review, of the independent auditors, or (ii) any inquiry or investigation by governmental or professional authorities, within the preceding five years, regarding one or more independent audits carried out by the independent auditors; and any steps taken to deal with any such issues;
    
 (iii) describing all relationships between the independent auditors and the Company consistent with applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding the independent auditor’s communications with the audit committee concerning independence; and
    
 (iv) assuring that Section 10A of the Exchange Act has not been implicated.

 

(e) Review and evaluate the lead audit partner of the independent auditor team(s), as well as other senior members;

 

(f) Confirm and evaluate the rotation of the audit partners on the audit engagement team as required by law;

 

(g) Consider whether the independent auditor should be rotated, so as to assure continuing auditor independence; and

 

(h) Obtain the opinion of management and the internal auditors of the independent auditor’s performance.

 

Financial Reporting

 

(a) Review and discuss with the independent auditors their annual audit plan, including the timing and scope of audit activities, and monitor such plan’s progress and results during the year;

 

(b) Review with management, the Company’s independent auditors and the Company’s internal auditing department, the following information which is required to be reported by the independent auditor:

 

  (i) all critical accounting policies and practices to be used;
     
  (ii) all alternative treatments of financial information that have been discussed by the independent auditors and management, ramifications of the use of such alternative disclosures and treatments, and the treatment preferred by the independent auditors;
     
  (iii) all other material written communications between the independent auditors and management, such as any management letter and any schedule of unadjusted differences; and
     
  (iv) any material financial arrangements of the Company which do not appear on the financial statements of the Company;

 

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(c) Review with management, the Company’s independent auditors and, if appropriate, the Company’s internal auditing department, the following:

 

  (i) the Company’s annual audited financial statements and unaudited interim financial statements, including the Company’s disclosures under Item 5 of Form 20-F “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects,” and any major issues related thereto;
     
  (ii) major issues regarding accounting principles and financial statements presentations, including any significant changes in the Company’s selection or application of accounting principles;
     
  (iii) any analyses prepared by management and/or the independent auditors setting forth significant financial reporting issues and judgments made in connection with the preparation of the financial statements, including analyses of the effects of alternative generally accepted accounting principles methods on the Company’s financial statements; and
     
  (iv) the effect of regulatory and accounting initiatives, as well as off- balance sheet structures, on the financial statements of the Company;

 

(d) Resolve all disagreements between the Company’s independent auditors and management regarding financial reporting;

 

(e) Review on a regular basis with the Company’s independent auditors any problems or difficulties encountered by the independent auditors in the course of any audit work, including management’s response with respect thereto, any restrictions on the scope of the independent auditor’s activities or on access to requested information, and any significant disagreements with management. In connection therewith, the Committee should review with the independent auditors the following:

 

  (i) any accounting adjustments that were noted or proposed by the independent auditors but were rejected by management (as immaterial or otherwise);
     
  (ii) any communications between the audit team and the independent auditor’s national office respecting auditing or accounting issues presented by the engagement; and
     
  (iii) any “management” or “internal control” letter issued, or proposed to be issued, by the independent auditors to the Company.

 

Financial Reporting Process and Internal Controls

 

(a) Review:

 

  (i) the adequacy and effectiveness of the Company’s accounting and internal control policies and procedures on a regular basis, including the responsibilities, budget, compensation and staffing of the Company’s internal audit function, through inquiry, discussions and periodic meetings with the Company’s independent auditors, management and the person in charge of internal auditing department;

 

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  (ii) the annual report prepared by management, and attested to by the Company’s independent auditors, assessing the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting and stating management’s responsibility for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting prior to its inclusion in the Company’s annual report on Form 20-F; and
     
  (iii) the Committee’s level of involvement and interaction with the Company’s internal audit function, including the Committee’s line of authority and role in appointing and compensating employees in the internal audit function;

 

(b) Review with the chief executive officer, chief financial officer and independent auditors, periodically, the following:

 

  (i) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
     
  (ii) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting;

 

(c) Discuss guidelines and policies governing the process by which senior management of the Company and the relevant departments of the Company, including the internal auditing department, assess and manage the Company’s exposure to risk, as well as the Company’s major financial risk exposures and the steps management has taken to monitor and control such exposures;

 

(d) Review with management the progress and results of all internal audit projects, and, when deemed necessary or appropriate by the Committee, direct the Company’s chief executive officer to assign additional internal audit projects to the person in charge of the Company’s internal auditing department;

 

(e) Review with management the Company’s administrative, operational and accounting internal controls, including any special audit steps adopted in light of the discovery of material control deficiencies;

 

(f) Receive periodic reports from the Company’s independent auditors, management and the Company’s internal auditing department to assess the impact on the Company of significant accounting or financial reporting developments that may have a bearing on the Company;

 

(g) Review and discuss with the independent auditors the results of the year-end audit of the Company, including any comments or recommendations of the Company’s independent auditors and, based on such review and discussions and on such other considerations as it determines appropriate, recommend to the Board whether the Company’s financial statements should be included in the annual report on Form 20-F;

 

(h) Establish and maintain free and open means of communication between and among the Committee, the Company’s independent auditors, the Company’s internal auditing department and management, including providing such parties with appropriate opportunities to meet separately and privately with the Committee on a periodic basis; and

 

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(i) Review the type and presentation of information to be included in the Company’s earnings press releases, as well as financial information and earnings guidance provided by the Company to analysts and rating agencies (which review may be done generally (i.e., discussion of the types of information to be disclosed and type of presentations to be made), and the Committee need not discuss in advance each earnings release or each instance in which the Company may provide earnings guidance).

 

Legal and Regulatory Compliance, Miscellaneous

 

(a) Establish and implement clear hiring policies of the Company for employees or former employees of the Company’s independent auditors;

 

(b) Meet periodically with the Company’s counsel, when appropriate, to review legal and regulatory matters, including (i) any matters that may have a material impact on the financial statements of the Company and (ii) any matters involving potential or ongoing material violations of law or breaches of fiduciary duty by the Company or any of its directors, officers, employees or agents or breaches of fiduciary duty to the Company;

 

(c) Review and pre-approve any proposed transaction between the Company or any of its subsidiaries or consolidated affiliated entities and any of the officers, directors or shareholders of the Company (each, a “Related Party”) and/or any affiliate of a Related Party required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 7.B. of Form 20-F “Related Party Transactions.” Management shall not cause the Company to enter into any new related party transaction unless such transaction is approved by the Committee;

 

(d) Oversee compliance with the Company’s code of ethics and perform such duties and responsibilities as may be assigned to the Committee under the code of ethics.

 

(e) Establish procedures for (i) the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters, and (ii) the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of the Company of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters;

 

(f) Conduct or authorize investigations into or studies of matters within the Committee’s scope of responsibilities, and retain, at the Company’s expense, such independent counsel or other consultants or advisers as it deems necessary;

 

(g) Secure independent expert advice to the extent the Committee deems appropriate, including retaining, with or without Board approval, independent counsel, accountants, consultants or others, to assist the Committee in fulfilling its duties and responsibilities, the cost of such independent expert advisors to be borne by the Company; and

 

(h) Perform such additional activities, and consider such other matters, within the scope of its responsibilities, as the Committee or the Board deems necessary or appropriate.

 

ANNUAL EVALUATION OF THE COMMITTEE

 

The Committee shall, on an annual basis, evaluate its performance. The evaluation shall address all matters that the Committee considers relevant to its performance, including a review and assessment of the adequacy of this charter, and shall be conducted in such manner as the Committee deems appropriate.

 

The Committee shall deliver to the Board a report, which may be oral, setting forth the results of its evaluation, including any recommended amendments to this charter.

 

 

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Exhibit 99.7

 

LZ TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LIMITED

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE CHARTER

 

PURPOSE OF THE COMMITTEE

 

The purposes of the Compensation Committee (the “Committee”) of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of LZ TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LIMITED (the “Company”) is to oversee the Company’s compensation structure and practices, including its executive compensation and incentive-compensation and equity-based plans, and to perform such further functions as may be consistent with this charter or assigned by applicable law, the Company’s memorandum and articles of association, as amended and restated from time to time, or the Board.

 

COMPOSITION OF THE COMMITTEE

 

The Committee shall consist of two or more directors as determined from time to time by the Board on the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Each member of the Committee shall be qualified to serve on the Committee pursuant to the applicable rules of the stock market on which the Company’s shares are trading and any additional requirements that the Board deems appropriate. Composition of the Committee shall also comply with any other applicable laws and regulations.

 

The chairperson of the Committee (the “Chairperson”) shall be designated by the Board. Any vacancy on the Committee shall be filled by the Board. No member of the Committee shall be removed except by the Board.

 

MEETINGS AND PROCEDURES OF THE COMMITTEE

 

The Committee shall meet as often as it determines necessary to carry out its duties and responsibilities, but no less than once annually. The Chairperson shall preside at each meeting and, in the absence of the Chairperson, one of the other members of the Committee shall be designated as the acting chair of the meeting. The Chairperson, in consultation with the other Committee members, shall determine the frequency and length of the Committee meetings and shall set meeting agendas consistent with this charter. The Committee, in its discretion, may ask members of management or others to attend its meetings (or portions thereof) and to provide pertinent information as necessary, provided, that the Chief Executive Officer of the Company may not be present during any portion of a Committee meeting in which deliberation or any vote regarding his or her compensation occurs.

 

Unless the Committee or the Board adopts other procedures, the provisions of the Company’s memorandum and articles of association, as amended and restated from time to time, applicable to meetings of Board committees will govern meetings of the Committee.

 

The Committee shall maintain minutes of its meetings and records relating to those meetings and shall report regularly to the Board on its activities, as appropriate.

 

Subject to the provisions of the Company’s memorandum and articles of association, as amended and restated from time to time, the Committee may delegate its authority to subcommittees or the Chairperson of the Committee when it deems it appropriate and in the best interests of the Company.

 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COMMITTEE

 

(a)The Committee shall, at least annually, review and evaluate and, if necessary, revise the Company’s compensation policies or programs, or recommend that the Board amend these policies or programs if the Committee deems it appropriate.

 

(b)The Committee shall annually evaluate the performance of the Chief Executive Officer and each of the Company’s other executive officers in light of the goals and objectives of the Company’s compensation policies or programs, determine and approve the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers, including without limitation, salary, bonus and incentive compensation levels, deferred compensation, executive perquisites, equity compensation (including awards to induce employment), severance arrangements, change-in-control benefits and other forms of executive officer compensation. The Company’s management shall determine the compensation of all other employees of the Company and the Committee shall have the right to review the compensation of such employees and recommend to the Company’s management any proposed changes.

 

 

 

 

(c)The Committee shall, at least annually, review and evaluate the performance of the Company’s directors and recommend to the Board the compensation for the directors.

 

(d)The Committee shall review and evaluate the Company’s long-term incentive compensation, share option, employee pension and welfare benefit plans (subject, if applicable, to shareholder approval), including any equity-based incentive plans of the Company that are subject to Board approval.

 

(e)The Committee shall perform such duties and responsibilities as may be assigned to the Committee under the terms of any compensation or other employee benefit plan, including any incentive-compensation or equity-based plan.

 

(f)The Committee shall perform such other functions as assigned by law, the Company’s memorandum and articles of association, as amended and restated from time to time, or the Board.

 

EVALUATION OF THE COMMITTEE

 

The Committee shall report to the Board periodically. At least annually, the Committee shall evaluate its own performance and report to the Board on such evaluation. The Committee shall also periodically review and assess the adequacy of this charter and recommend any proposed changes to the Board for approval.

 

INVESTIGATIONS AND STUDIES; OUTSIDE ADVISERS

 

The Committee may conduct or authorize investigations into or studies of matters within the Committee’s scope of responsibilities, and may, in its sole discretion, retain or obtain the advice of a compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser. The Committee shall be directly responsible for the appointment, compensation and oversight of the work of any compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser retained by the Committee. The Company must provide appropriate funding, as determined by the Committee, for payment of reasonable compensation to a compensation consultant, legal counsel or any other adviser retained by the Committee.

 

The Committee may select a compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser to the Committee only after taking into consideration all factors relevant to that person’s independence from management, including the following:

 

(a)The provision of other services to the Company by the person that employs the compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser;

 

(b)The amount of fees received from the Company by the person that employs the compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser, as a percentage of the total revenue of the person that employs the compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser;

 

(c)The policies and procedures of the person that employs the compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser that are designed to prevent conflicts of interest;

 

(d)Any business or personal relationship of the compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser with a member of the Committee;

 

(e)Any share of the Company owned by the compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser; and

 

(f)Any business or personal relationship of the compensation consultant, legal counsel, other adviser or the person employing the adviser with an executive officer of the Company.

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.8

 

LZ TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LIMITED 

NOMINATING AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE CHARTER

 

 

 

PURPOSE OF THE COMMITTEE

 

The purposes of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (the “Committee”) of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of LZ TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LIMITED (the “Company”) is to identify and to recommend to the Board individuals qualified to serve as directors of the Company and on committees of the Board; to advise the Board with respect to the Board composition, procedures and committees; to develop and recommend to the Board a set of corporate governance principles applicable to the Company; and to oversee the evaluation of the Board.

 

COMPOSITION OF THE COMMITTEE

 

The Committee shall consist of two or more directors, as determined from time to time by the Board. Each member of the Committee shall be qualified to serve on the Committee pursuant to the applicable rules of the stock market on which the Company’s shares are trading (the “Stock Market Rules”) and any additional requirements that the Board deems appropriate. Composition of the Committee shall also comply with any other applicable laws and regulations.

 

The chairperson of the Committee (the “Chairperson”) shall be designated by the Board. Any vacancy on the Committee shall be filled by the Board. No member of the Committee shall be removed except by the Board.

 

MEETINGS AND PROCEDURES OF THE COMMITTEE

 

The Committee shall meet as often as it determines necessary to carry out its duties and responsibilities, but no less frequently than once annually. The Chairperson shall preside at each meeting and, in the absence of the Chairperson, one of the other members of the Committee shall be designated as the acting chair of the meeting. The Chairperson, in consultation with the other Committee members, shall determine the frequency and length of the Committee meetings and shall set meeting agendas consistent with this charter. The Committee, in its discretion, may ask members of management or others to attend its meetings (or portions thereof) and to provide pertinent information as necessary.

 

Unless the Committee or the Board adopts other procedures, the provisions of the Company’s memorandum and articles of association, as amended and restated from time to time, applicable to meetings of Board committees will govern meetings of the Committee.

 

The Committee shall maintain minutes of its meetings and records relating to those meetings and shall report regularly to the Board on its activities, as appropriate.

 

Subject to the provisions of the Company’s memorandum and articles of association, as amended and restated from time to time, the Committee may delegate its authority to subcommittees or the Chairperson of the Committee when it deems it appropriate and in the best interests of the Company.

 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COMMITTEE

 

(a)To assist in identifying, recruiting and, if appropriate, interviewing candidates to fill positions on the Board, including persons suggested by the shareholders of the Company or others.

 

(b)To recommend to the Board the director nominees for election by the shareholders of the Company or appointment by the Board, as the case may be.

 

(c)To review the suitability for continued service as a director of each Board member when his or her term expires and when he or she has a change in status, including but not limited to an employment change, and to recommend whether or not the director should be re-nominated.

 

 

 

(d)To review annually with the Board the composition of the Board as a whole and to recommend, if necessary, measures to be taken so that the Board reflects the appropriate balance of independence, knowledge, experience, skills, expertise and diversity required for the Board as a whole and contains at least the minimum number of independent directors required by the Stock Market Rules.

 

(e)To review periodically the size of the Board and to recommend to the Board any appropriate changes.

 

(f)To make recommendations on the frequency and structure of Board meetings.

 

(g)To make recommendations concerning any other aspect of the procedures of the Board that the Committee considers warranted, including but not limited to procedures with respect to the waiver by the Board of any Company rule, guideline, procedure or corporate governance principle.

 

(h)After consultation with the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer and after taking into account the experiences and expertise of individual directors, to make recommendations to the Board regarding the size and composition of each standing committee of the Board, including the identification of individuals qualified to serve as members of a committee, including the Committee, and to recommend individual directors to fill any vacancy that might occur on a committee, including the Committee.

 

(i)To monitor the functioning of the committees of the Board and to make recommendations for any changes, including the creation and elimination of committees.

 

(j)To review annually assignments of the committees of the Board and the policy with respect to the rotation of committee memberships and/or chairpersonships, and to report any recommendations to the Board.

 

(k)To recommend that the Board establish such special committees as may be desirable or necessary from time to time in order to address ethical, legal or other matters that may arise. The Committee’s power to make such a recommendation under this charter shall be without prejudice to the right of any other committee of the Board, or any individual director, to make such a recommendation at any time.

 

(l)To develop and review periodically, and at least annually, the corporate governance principles adopted by the Board to assure that they are appropriate for the Company and comply with the Stock Market Rules and to recommend any desirable changes to the Board.

 

(m)To consider any other corporate governance issues that arise from time to time, and to develop appropriate recommendations for the Board.

 

(n)To oversee the evaluation of the Board as a whole and evaluate and report to the Board on the performance and effectiveness of the Board.

 

EVALUATION OF THE COMMITTEE

 

The Committee shall report to the Board periodically. At least annually, the Committee shall evaluate its own performance and report to the Board on such evaluation. The Committee shall also periodically review and assess the adequacy of this charter and recommend any proposed changes to the Board for approval.

 

INVESTIGATIONS AND STUDIES; OUTSIDE ADVISERS

 

The Committee may conduct or authorize investigations into or studies of matters within the Committee’s scope of responsibilities, and may retain, at the Company’s expense, such independent counsel or other consultants or advisers as it deems necessary. The Committee shall have the sole authority to retain or terminate any search firm to be used to identify director candidates, including sole authority to approve the search firm’s fees and other retention terms, such fees to be borne by the Company.

 

Exhibit 99.9

 

December 21, 2023

 

LZ Technology Holdings Limited
Unit 311, Floor 3, No. 5999 Wuxing Avenue, Zhili Town, Wuxing District

Huzhou City, Zhejiang province, People’s Republic of China 313000

Re: Consent of Frost & Sullivan

 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

Reference is made to the registration statement on Form F-1 (the “Registration Statement”) filed by LZ Technology Holdings Limited (the “Company”) with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in connection with its proposed initial public offering (the “Proposed IPO”).

 

We hereby consent to the use of and references to our name and the inclusion of information, data and statements from our research reports and amendments thereto, including, without limitation, the industry report titled “China’s Smart Community Market Independent Market Research” (collectively, the “Reports”), and any subsequent amendments to the Reports, as well as the citation of our independent industry reports and amendments thereto, (i) in the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto, including, but not limited to, under the “Prospectus Summary”, “Industry” and “Business” sections; (ii) in any written correspondence with the SEC, (iii) in any other future filings with the SEC by the Company, including, without limitation, filings on Form 20-F, Form 6-K and other SEC filings (collectively, the “SEC Filings”), (iv) on the websites or in the publicity materials of the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates, (v) in institutional and retail roadshows and other activities in connection with the Proposed IPO, and (vi) in other publicity and marketing materials in connection with the Proposed IPO.

 

We further hereby consent to the filing of this letter as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto and as an exhibit to any other SEC Filings by the Company for the use of our data and information cited for the above-mentioned purposes.

 

[Signature page follows]

 

 

 

 

Yours faithfully,

 

For and on behalf of

Frost & Sullivan (Beijing) Inc., Shanghai Branch Co.

 

/s/ Charles Lau  
Name:  Charles Lau  
Title: Executive Director  

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 107

 

Calculation of Filing Fee Table

 

Form F-1

(Form Type)

 

LZ Technology Holdings Limited

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

Table 1: Newly Registered Securities

 

Security Type  Security
Class Title
  Fee
Calculation
Rule
  Amount
Registered
   Proposed
Maximum
Offering
Price Per
Unit
   Maximum
Aggregate
Offering
Price(1)(2)(3)
   Fee Rate   Amount of
Registration
Fee
 
Equity  Class B Ordinary Shares, $0.0001 par value  457(o)                                 $60,000,000    0.00014760   $8,856 
Total Offering Amounts        $60,000,000           
Total Fee Offsets                    
Net Fee Due                  $8,856 

 

(1) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee in accordance with Rule 457(o) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

 

(2) Includes the aggregate offering price of additional shares that the underwriters have a 45-day option to purchase to cover over-allotments, if any.

 

(3) Pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act, the securities being registered hereunder include such indeterminate number of additional ordinary shares as may be issued after the date hereof as a result of share splits, share dividends or similar transactions.